Burnt Tavern Bourbon, the first release from Kentucky-based William Berkele Distillery, has been named Best of Class: Best Straight Bourbon at the 2026 New York World Spirits Competition, adding another major award to the brand’s growing list of honors.
The bourbon also earned a Double Gold medal at the competition, which evaluates spirits through blind tastings.
Launched in 2025, Burnt Tavern has collected national and international awards while expanding its distribution beyond Kentucky into the Nashville and Chicago markets.
“Earning Best of Class in New York is an extraordinary honor and validates the intent we had from day one,” said Bennett Clark, president of William Berkele Distillery. “We set out to build a bourbon that directly reflects our history, a story forged in resilience and fire.”
Clark credited master distiller Chip Tate with translating that history into the whiskey’s flavor profile, describing the bourbon as rich, complex and layered.
Burnt Tavern is a seven-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 105 proof. According to the distillery, its flavor profile features burnt sugar, caramel, toffee, ginger and vanilla, with a hint of smoke.
After aging in traditional bourbon barrels, the whiskey undergoes a second-barrel finishing process using two additional barrels that are slowly toasted and charred. The technique is intended to add depth and complexity to the finished spirit.
“Since the beginning, it has been a privilege working with the entire William Berkele Distillery team,” Tate said. “I’m very proud to have created a beautifully unique bourbon worthy of the deep history behind Burnt Tavern. We’re honored to have our efforts rewarded with this prestigious award.”
The latest recognition comes as the bourbon industry faces market challenges, with Burnt Tavern seeking to distinguish itself through its production approach, branding and historical narrative.
Burnt Tavern Bourbon awards
The brand’s awards include:
- 2025 USA Spirits Ratings: Straight Bourbon of the Year and Gold Medal
- 2025 New York World Spirits Competition: Gold Medal
- 2025 TAG Global Spirits Awards: Platinum
- 2025 The Fifty Best (New York City): Double Gold
- 2025 Pr%f Awards: Gold medals for design and tasting
- 2026 London Spirits Competition: Double Gold
- 2026 International Bartenders Spirits Awards: Gold Medal
- 2026 Ascot Awards: Gold Medal
- 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold Medal
- 2026 New York World Spirits Competition: Best of Class for Best Straight Bourbon and Double Gold
The New York World Spirits Competition is part of the Tasting Alliance’s international spirits competition portfolio. More information about the competition is available at The Tasting Alliance.
