The Texas Whiskey Festival has announced the winners of its 2025 competition, shining a spotlight on the best whiskeys being made across the Lone Star State. Known for its rigorous blind-judging process, the festival’s competition continues to be a benchmark for excellence in Texas whiskey.

"Each year, the Texas Whiskey Festival brings together the best of the best in Texas whiskey, and 2025 was no exception," said Jake Clements, Co-Founder of the Texas Whiskey Festival and a Certified Whiskey Sommelier. “Our competition is all about putting the whiskey first—no labels, no hype, just flavor. These results reflect the growth, innovation, and passion driving our industry forward.”

Whether you’re a longtime whiskey enthusiast or just beginning your journey, the following award winners represent a cross-section of the state’s finest. But, as Clements reminds us, “Your palate is the final judge. That’s what makes whiskey fun—the personal connection, the experience, and the surprise when something new hits just right.”

2025 Texas Whiskey Festival Award Winners

Best Bourbon in Texas

• Gold – Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon
• Silver – Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Straight Bourbon
• Bronze – Milam and Greene Unabridged Volume 3 Bourbon*

*A blend of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas-made whiskey

Best Rye Whiskeys in Texas

• Gold – Devils River 5-Year Straight Rye Whiskey
• Silver – IronRoot Slight of Hand Rye*
• Bronze – 1693 Elevation Rye Whiskey

*Blend of Texas-made and sourced rye whiskey

Best Malt Whiskeys in Texas

• Gold – Ranger Creek Texas Landmark Single Malt
• Silver – UnBendt Straight Malt Whiskey Bottled in Bond
• Bronze – Spirit of Texas Pythagoras

Best Cask-Finished Whiskey

• Gold – Giant Texas Distilling – Tejas Collaboration – Cigar Blend (Sweet Vermouth Finished)
• Silver – Ranger Creek 306 Malt Whiskey Finished in Tequila Barrels
• Bronze – Real Spirits Distilling Phoenixx Rising Batch 4

Best Light Whiskey in Texas

• Gold – Austin Craft Spirits Austin 111
• Silver – Texas Heartland Distilling Light Whiskey
• Bronze – Andalusia Whiskey Co. Lighten Up, Jake!

Best Flavored Whiskey in Texas

• Gold – Mossy Horn Pecan
• Silver – Iron Wolf Ranch Iron Hot
• Bronze – Andalusia Whiskey Co. Peach Whiskey

People’s Choice Awards

Voted on by attendees of the Texas Whiskey Festival, these fan favorites captured hearts and palates alike:

• Gold – Mossy Horn Whiskey
• Silver – Andalusia Whiskey Co.
• Bronze – Milam & Greene Whiskey

Upcoming Whiskey Experiences

If you missed this year’s festival, don’t worry—there are more whiskey adventures ahead.

Frisco StrEATs Whiskey Tasting – May 3

Enjoy a casual tasting experience at one of North Texas’ most vibrant food truck festivals. Festival-goers will have the chance to sample some of the state’s top whiskeys while enjoying live music and culinary delights.

Get Tickets: https://bit.ly/42vXKFW

Whiskey Unexpected – May 3 at Star Hill Ranch

A seated, immersive experience for those ready to step into something different. A select group of distilleries will pour rare, unusual, or unreleased whiskeys for an intimate audience. Guests will also participate in a hands-on blending session, guided by Whiskey Sommelier Jake Clements. From tasting a homemade blend to crafting your own, you’ll learn just how incredible—or surprising—a blend can be.

Get Tickets: https://bit.ly/43Vb2hO

For media inquiries, interviews, or access to high-resolution images, contact: Jake Clements - Email Contact

About the Texas Whiskey Festival

The festival's mission is simple: To create events, collaborations, and blends that celebrate Texas Whiskey and its community. We want to promote and educate Texans about the whiskeys produced in our great state. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com

This press release is distributed by the Newsworthy.ai™ Press Release Newswire - News Marketing Platform™. Reference URL for this press release is here.

The Texas Whiskey Festival hosts a competition each year to determine the best Texas Bourbon, Rye, Malt Whiskey, and the newly added Flavored Whiskeys. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges in a blind tasting.

“We view the contest and awards as a guide for people to discover new whiskeys,” says Co-Founder Jake Clements. Everything entered in the contest is available for purchase by the bottle or glass, with some being in distribution and others being distillery-only releases.

These are the winners chosen by a panel of judges based on their opinions and palates regarding the whiskey's enjoyability and drinkability. Each judge's opinion and palate vary, so remember that the best whiskey is the one you like.

2024 Winners

Best in Show: Grain to Glass Whiskey

1. Gold - Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling - 305 Single Malt Whiskey

2. Silver - Still Austin Whiskey Co. - Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey

3. Bronze - Garrison Brothers Distilling - Ladybird Straight Bourbon

Best Bourbons:

1. Gold - Garrison Brothers Distilling - Ladybird Straight Bourbon

2. Silver - Devils River Whiskey- Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

3. Bronze - Shire Distilling - Percheron Straight Bourbon

Best Rye Whiskeys

1. Gold - Still Austin Whiskey Co. - Bottled in Bond Rye

2. Silver - Shire Distilling - Rye Whiskey Tejas Collaboration

3. Bronze - Devils River - Straight Rye Whiskey Aged 5 years

Best Malt Whiskeys

1. Gold - Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling. - 305 Single Malt

2. Silver - Bendt Distilling Co.. - Bottled in Bond Single Malt

3. Bronze - Balcones Distilling - Cataleja Single Malt

Best Flavored Whiskeys

1. Gold - Ironwolf Ranch and Distillery - HotScotch

2. Silver - Sixth Street Spirits - Rock and Rye

3. Bronze - Silver Star Spirits - Ranch Style Coffee Honey Liqueur

Come to the Texas Whiskey Festival to taste the winners and many more. It is a night of sampling new whiskey, meeting friends, and enjoying food, cigars, and music. Get your tickets HERE.

About the Texas Whiskey Festival

The festival's mission is simple: To create events, collaborations, and blends that celebrate Texas Whiskey and its community. We want to promote and educate Texans about the whiskeys produced in our great state. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. 

This press release is distributed by the Newsworthy.ai™ Press Release Newswire - News Marketing Platform™. Reference URL for this press release is here.

The Texas Whiskey Festival proudly returns, inviting whiskey enthusiasts to embark on a journey that transcends the glass. Set against the backdrop of the Hill Country at Star Hill Ranch. This year's festival promises to celebrate the many facets that make whiskey a true embodiment of the Texan spirit.

Key Highlights of the Texas Whiskey Festival:

• Whiskey is a Celebration: Whiskey is the drink of choice for toasting achievements, making memories, and marking life's most significant moments.
• Whiskey as Art: Explore the diverse palette of flavors and aromas crafted by Texan distillers. From the smoky richness of bourbons to the spiciness of ryes, the festival is a canvas of artistic expression where whiskey is not just a drink but a form of liquid art.
• Whiskey is an Expression of Character: Like people, whiskey is unique. Each bottle tells a story, reflecting the land it came from, the hands that crafted it, and the years it spent aging in barrels.
• Whiskey is Magic: It possesses the uncanny ability to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Born from alchemy, it offers a touch of the mystical, a taste of the extraordinary, and a glimpse into the realms of time and tradition.
• Whiskey as Experience: Engage in educational and interactive experiences beyond traditional tasting, from whiskey panels to meeting the makers and blenders that make Texas Whiskey the best in the world.
• Whiskey as Harmony: Enjoy the harmonious fusion of whiskey and music as live performances set the tone for a memorable festival atmosphere. Discover how the symphony of notes in a glass mirrors the melodic rhythms that define Texan culture.
• Whiskey as Community: Join a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for whiskey. Forge connections, share stories, and celebrate the camaraderie that makes the Texas Whiskey Festival a unique gathering of spirits enthusiasts.
• Whiskey is many things to many people: It can be enjoyed in countless ways, making it the drink of choice for connoisseurs and those new to spirits.

This event is for everyone, whether you're an avid whiskey drinker or think you might like whiskey. It's an occasion for friends and families to come together to taste the flavors that define Texas whiskey. With a lively atmosphere, welcoming community, and plenty of experiences throughout the night, you won’t forget it.

Come to the Texas Whiskey Festival and discover the many things it can be.

Save the Date:

• Saturday, Apr 20, 2024
• At Star Hill Ranch
• 4:30 pm to 10 pm

Ticket Information and Festival Updates

For Media Inquiries:

Jake Clements

Email Contact

About the Texas Whiskey Festival

The festival's mission is simple: To create events, collaborations, and blends that celebrate Texas Whiskey and its community. We want to promote and educate Texans about the whiskeys produced in our great state. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys globally. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

This press release is distributed by the Newsworthy.ai™ Press Release Newswire - News Marketing Platform™. Reference URL for this press release is here.