Frank August Small Batch Bourbon Review | 2025 World's Best Bourbon | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
When a bourbon wins 'World's Best' at a major competition, it invites scrutiny. Crystal and Roger apply exactly that scrutiny to Frank August Small Batch — tasting with fresh eyes, honest palates, and zero deference to the award.
Bottle Specs
Spirit: Frank August Small Batch Bourbon
Distillery: Frank August (sourced production, Kentucky)
Award: 2025 World Whisky Awards — World's Best Bourbon
Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: ~45%
Price: ~$65–80
Mashbill: High corn, moderate rye
What 'World's Best Bourbon' Actually Means
World Whisky Awards results reflect a specific panel's preferences on a specific day. Crystal and Roger acknowledge the award's significance while noting its limits — the world's best bourbon for one panel isn't necessarily best for every palate. They taste with that context in mind and report honestly.
Tasting Notes — Nose, Palate, Finish
Nose: Inviting and well-integrated — classic bourbon caramel and vanilla with a baking spice complexity. An elegance here that earns the award attention. Palate: Rich and approachable with balance genuinely difficult to achieve at this proof. Sweetness calibrated precisely. Finish: Long, clean, and memorable — this is the finish that wins competitions.
The Value Question
At $65–80, Frank August is premium but well below ultra-premium prices its award suggests it belongs with. Crystal and Roger's assessment: the liquid genuinely competes with bottles at double its price.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
If you want the award winner: Frank August Small Batch is accessible, genuinely excellent, and appropriately priced. Worth seeking out.
For a special occasion pour: A bottle that won World's Best Bourbon makes a statement at any gathering.
To test your palate: Taste Frank August against your personal benchmark bourbon. The comparison is instructive.
LC Verdict
The award is well-deserved. Frank August Small Batch is everything a bourbon should be. One of the best bourbons at any price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frank August Small Batch really the world's best bourbon?
It won the 2025 World Whisky Awards World's Best Bourbon — a legitimate and well-regarded competition. Crystal and Roger's tasting confirms the award isn't undeserved: the balance, complexity, and finish quality are genuinely exceptional. Whether it's objectively the 'best' depends on your palate, but it's firmly in the conversation for best bourbon at its price point.
Where is Frank August bourbon made?
Frank August sources its bourbon from Kentucky distilleries and manages the blending, finishing, and bottling program. The exact distillery source hasn't been publicly disclosed, which is common practice among sourced bourbon brands. What matters is the selection and finishing program, which produces a consistently excellent result.
What makes Frank August Small Batch different from other bourbons?
The balance is the most notable characteristic — Frank August achieves a sweetness-to-spice ratio and a finish length that's genuinely difficult at the proof level. Many bourbons excel in one dimension (rich sweetness, long finish, intense spice) at the expense of others. Frank August balances all three simultaneously, which is what wins competitions.
Is Frank August worth $65-80?
Yes. At this price you're in the same range as Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Four Roses Small Batch Select, and comparable premium expressions. Frank August outperforms most of them in blind tastings. The award recognition will likely push the price higher — buy it now while it's still accessible.
What food pairs with Frank August bourbon?
The well-balanced, non-aggressive profile makes Frank August food-versatile. Excellent with dark chocolate, pecan pie, smoked brisket, or aged gouda. The moderate rye spice and caramel sweetness complement both sweet and savory pairings without dominating.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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