Events
IWSC Brings North American Whiskey Judging Back to Bardstown
The International Wine & Spirits Competition returns to Kentucky for spirited judging — whiskey and RTD panels in the heart of Bourbon Country.
If you’re mapping spring calendar around Bourbon Country, pencil in Bardstown: the International Wine & Spirits Competition brought its North American whiskey and RTD judging back to Kentucky for sessions June 4–7, 2025.
IWSC’s Kentucky visits put international judges in the same zip codes as the stills they’re scoring — useful pressure for producers and a reminder that “world-class” tasting panels don’t only happen across the Atlantic. For drinkers, medal lists that follow these sessions are another way to spot bottles worth hunting beyond the usual allocation lottery chatter.
We’ll keep an eye on medal drops that matter for Kentucky bourbon and American whiskey once results circulate. Media contact on the pitch: Debbie Rizzo at DRink PR, with outreach from Amy Preske at Booze PR.
Source: IWSC announcement via Amy Preske, Booze PR / Debbie Rizzo, DRink PR.