Amsterdam, NY (December 16, 2025) – Second Acts Spirits, a celebrated craft distillery, is proud to announce that its distinguished Clocktower Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey has been awarded a prestigious Gold Medal in The Fifty Best's "Best Bourbon Whiskey" awards for 2026. Clocktower Barrel Proof Bourbon is the debut variation of the medal-winning Clocktower Bourbon. Produced from a single, unblended barrel and bottled at barrel proof, it truly captures the unique qualities of the oak in which it was aged.
The annual tasting by The Fifty Best featured a blind evaluation by a panel of vetted industry experts, journalists, and mixologists. The bourbons were individually rated on a rigorous 1-5 point scoring system. Second Acts Spirits' submission rose to the top, securing a Gold Medal based on the judges' high marks and glowing impressions.
"We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive this Gold Medal from The Fifty Best," said Stacey Michaels of Second Acts Spirits. "Clocktower Barrel Proof is a true labor of love, representing our commitment to producing a robust, complex, and memorable bourbon. This award validates the quality and depth we strive for in every barrel."
Tasting Notes: This complex bourbon presents a captivating nose, weaving together rich dessert flavors of caramel, chocolate, and vanilla with bright accents of pineapple and orange zest, all set against a savory, spicy background of leather, hickory, and oak. The palate is equally multifaceted, offering a creamy, round mouthfeel that delivers a profile balanced between sweet honey and oak, nutty walnut, and structured notes of cinnamon and woody oak. It concludes with an excellent, layered finish where hints of chocolate, molasses, and orange are warmly complemented by clove, peppery spice, and light smoke.
About Second Acts Spirits
Second Act Spirits is a New York Farm Distillery founded by a husband-and-wife team with a deep passion for craft spirits and over three decades of experience in the craft beverage industry. Committed to using New York-sourced ingredients, Second Act Spirits supports local agriculture and prides itself on quality and craftsmanship. The distillery's tasting room is located in the historic Amsterdam Clocktower in Amsterdam, N.Y. The portfolio includes the award-winning Clocktower Bourbon and other artisanal spirits.
About TheFiftyBest.com
TheFiftyBest.com is a digital guide to wines & spirits, featuring rated listings resulting from proprietary blind tastings as judged by wine/spirits journalists, spirits professionals, wine/spirit retailers, mixologists, spirits consultants, and connoisseurs. The Fifty Best adheres to the highest standards of spirits evaluations through strict tasting rules and rigorous methodology, ensuring that only the most exceptional spirits receive recognition.
Media Contact: Rich Michaels, Partner - Rich@SecondActSpirits.com
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