BHAKTA 1868 Barrel 1 Washington

Photo illustration: Brad Japhe

America’s 250th anniversary is less than a month out and the celebrations are already well underway. Some of the country’s top bourbon producers have taken the birthday to heart by unveiling specialty bottlings of that most American of spirit categories—the only liquor protected by an act of Congress as a “distinctive product of the United States.” But these new releases are not all created equal, of course.

In order to guarantee that you’re stocking your home bar with the best liquids for the occasion, the American Whiskey Commission recently convened a panel of expert judges. Together, they determined the best bourbon in the world, for the semiquincentennial and beyond. In its own words, the AWC is a “non-profit whiskey adjudication entity formed by bartenders with a mission to champion our nation’s finest spirits—and defend their place as a crucial part of our shared national heritage.” So, they take their mission fairly seriously.

Most recently, that mission assumed the form of a blind tasting, conducted over several days earlier in the year. The results are now in, just in time for July 4. And here are the details on the “Best In Show” winner: Bhakta 1868 America250 Edition—Barrel 1 Washington.

In scoring it a triple-gold—with an unprecedented 19 out of 20 possible points (five potential points each by way of appearance, nose, palate and quality-to-price ratio)—the judges lauded the 110-proof whiskey’s complexity and decadence. Their tasting notes included comparisons to artisanal marmalade, spicy pepper, stewed New England quince and roasted walnuts.

Several tasters also independently discerned finishing tones of freshly baked apple pie. A particularly appropriate characteristic for a whiskey that’s positioned as a patriotic offering. It takes its name from the first American president, and is priced, fittingly, at $250 a bottle.

But it’s interesting to note that this Bhakta release—like so many other recent offerings from the award-winning Vermont-based craft brand—consists of an elevated blend of whiskey and armagnac dating back to the 19th century. The bourbon component is as old as 21 years and comprises 60% of the overall assemblage. The other 40% is represented by 1868, 1962, 1973 and 1981 vintages of the famed French brandy.

It’s an unorthodox approach devised by the brand’s disruptive founder, Raj Bhakta. And it’s already reaping sizable dividends. In addition to the most recent trophy from AWC, previous blended releases from Bhakta have taken home “Best In Show” honors at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards as well as a slew of Platinum and Double Gold honors at other top competitions including LA Spirits and the ASCOTs.

And as Bhakta himself likes to point out, the blending of these particular types of liquid is especially appropriate for Independence Day. If you’re a student of history, at least. “This is the type of collaboration between France and America that actually won our War of Independence,” he tells me. “This is my magnum opus; based in American bourbon heritage, rounded out and deepened by the oldest spirits in the world from France.”

Touting his label as a “house of vintages,” Bhakta stewards one of the most expansive collections of old brandies and whiskies in the world. It’s this inventory—as well as a willingness to shirk traditional categories in the fearless pursuit of flavor—that affords him the ability to blend and bottle unique tastes of history: They aren’t just award-winning, they’re also exquisitely rare. For the America250 Edition, there exists just five barrels’ worth of product in total. The precious stock that remains is individually numbered and currently available exclusively through the brand’s website.

As always, follow along for more news from the American Whiskey Commission and other top competitions throughout the calendar year.