Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Awarded ‘Outstanding Gold’

For the first time, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious spirits competitions held a judging event in North America, and a small family-owned distillery came out on top.

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Toasted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was the only Bourbon awarded an astounding 98 points and the  ‘Outstanding Gold’ Award in the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition.

The IWSC’s first North American Whiskey & RTD Judging in Kentucky saw nearly 500 entries from both the US and Canada. As many as 9 golds and 1 gold outstanding medal went to Kentucky Straight Bourbons. The highest-scoring entry was the gold outstanding winner, Toasted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. The judges admired its “rich wood nose, with lots of fruit, spice, wood sugars.  Nice, soft, subtle finish, and balanced flavour approach with layered complexity”.

This medal is in good company, as Kentucky Peerless has been racking up notable accolades in recent months.  Their High Rye Bourbon was also awarded an impressive 95 points in the IWSC. They also took home Double Platinum in the 2024 Ascot Awards and Double Gold in the 2024 Sip Awards. Kentucky Peerless Owner and CEO was inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame this September. They have been nominated for Best Craft Whiskey and Best Craft Distillery Tour in USA Today’s 10Best Awards.

“I am overwhelmed by the praises we’ve received this year and being awarded an Outstanding Gold at 98 points is the cherry on top. We have an exceptional team that is honestly dedicated to Peerless standards and prioritizes quality and integrity in the same way I do. It is a privilege to watch that dedication be realized,” explains Peerless CEO and Fourth Generation Owner, R.M. Corky Taylor.

Find out more at kentuckypeerless.com or visit the distillery at 120 N. 10th Street in downtown Louisville. The distillery is open for tours and tastings by reservation Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Friday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.