At the inaugural Whiskey Wash Awards, our reviewers sampled a number of incredible whiskies (or whiskeys) worthy of Double Gold Medals in our no-fee competition. We have already written extensively about the winners of each category. So, today I decided to cherry-pick a few Double Gold Medal winners (10/10 scorers) and talk about what makes them so special. 

If you would like to see a full list of award-winning whiskies, including Double Gold, Gold, and Silver Medal winners, from The Whiskey Wash Awards, click here. 

Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Medal: Double Gold
Score: 10
Category: American Whiskey
Official Tasting Notes: Dried flowers, grasses, toasted oak, butterscotch, caramel, complex spices, cigar tobacco, cinnamon, campfire smoke
BUY NOW: $90
Original Review: Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Since its founding by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill has been a cornerstone of Kentucky whiskey. The distillery oversees more than two million barrels aging across 70-plus warehouses in two Kentucky counties, providing the whiskey for both its iconic flagship releases and smaller, specialty expressions.

The Grain To Glass series began in early 2024 and featured a bourbon whiskey and a wheated bourbon whisky as well as this particular rye. 

Heaven Hill’s Grain To Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey represents a bold evolution from one of Kentucky’s most storied distilleries. Aged for over six years, this high-rye expression (63% rye, 24% corn, 13% malted barley) showcases a carefully selected corn varietal from Beck’s Hybrids, reinforcing the lineup’s farm-to-bottle ethos. 

Matured in rickhouse W3 across multiple floors, the whiskey is bottled at a robust 123.2 proof without chill filtration, preserving its full character. Expect a spicier, richer take on Heaven Hill’s rye, with intensified depth from its higher rye content and meticulous grain selection. A true craft-minded release from a legacy brand.

Upon review in August 2024, Nino Kilgore-Marchetti scored the release a perfect 10, saying: “Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is a rye whiskey that drinks in a more unusual non-rye type way. This is not a bad thing at all—it’s just different and to be enjoyed. It’s an excellent offering.” 

Port Ellen 44 Year Old Gemini Original Cask

Medal: Double Gold
Score: 10
Category: Scotch
Official Tasting Notes: Baked pear, seaweed, bonfire smoke, fudge, salt, baked apple skins
BUY NOW: $56,250
Original Review: Port Ellen 44 Year Old Gemini Original Cask

Port Ellen’s long-awaited reopening in March 2024 was marked by the release of Gemini, a pair of 44-year-old whiskies distilled in 1978. These “non-identical twins” pay tribute to the distillery’s past while hinting at its future. 

Port Ellen Gemini Original matured entirely in European Oak Butts, while Gemini Remnant spent its final years in a unique finishing cask—crafted from remnants of original Port Ellen wood, preserved for over 40 years. 

This dual release offers both the oldest Port Ellen whisky to date and a fascinating exploration of cask influence. Their decanters bear the inscriptions “A Giant Awakens” and “A New Day Dawns,” symbolizing the rebirth of this legendary Islay distillery.

Of course, these whiskies were (and are) extremely expensive – one bottle will set you back about $56,000, and they can only be purchased through Diageo Rare & Exceptional. With that being said, we felt we had to highlight the stunning whisky to come out of Port Ellen. Hopefully, we can expect similarly fantastic (but, maybe cheaper) whisky from Port Ellen in the future. 

Phil Dwyer had the task of reviewing the Port Ellen Geminis. Scoring the Original Cask a perfect 10, he said: “I’ve tried a lot of expensive whisky that wasn’t worth the price tag – this is still very expensive, but if you’re pockets are deep enough, and you’d like to experience one of the best Islay whiskies I’ve ever tasted, then this is for you! If I could afford to buy this and just drink it, I would. No questions asked.”

15 Stars Timeless Reserve Fine-Aged Bourbon Aged 13 Years

Medal: Double Gold
Score: 10
Category: Bourbon
Official Tasting Notes: Caramel, vanilla bean, cherry, prune, herbs, roasted peanuts, tobacco, sassafras, old wood, molasses, orange, apple, dried banana, leather, dark chocolate
BUY NOW: $279
Original Review: 15 Stars Timeless Reserve Fine-Aged Bourbon Aged 13 Years

Founded in 2022 by father and son whiskey blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, 15 Stars has quickly gained acclaim, earning over 100 top whiskey awards. Based in Bardstown, Kentucky, the brand partners with a distillery—likely Bardstown Bourbon Co.—to produce a diverse range of mash bills, some incorporating heirloom corn from the family’s Black Jewell Popcorn business. 

15 Stars Timeless Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon is an evolution of the brand’s debut release, blending sourced 13- and 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons. Bottled at 103 proof, it delivers a refined, well-aged profile that reflects the brand’s dedication to premium whiskey. Only 1,800 bottles were produced and there are some still available on the brand’s website. 

Nino reviewed this bourbon whiskey in August 2024, and awarded in 10 out of 10. He said: “15 Stars Timeless Reserve Fine-Aged Bourbon Aged 13 Years is one to hold up as a timeless classic for a bourbon of this age range. There’s nothing negative to say here – get yourself a bottle to drink and a bottle to hold before it sells out.”

Waterford Organic Cuvée Gaia

Medal: Double Gold, The Parting Glass Award
Score: 10
Category: World Whisky
Official Tasting Notes: None available
BUY NOW: N/A
Original Review: Waterford Organic Cuvée Gaia Review

The closure of Waterford Distillery in late 2024 marked a significant loss for the Irish whiskey industry. Known for its groundbreaking focus on terroir and sustainability, Waterford pushed boundaries in whiskey-making, proving that barley origin could have a profound impact on flavor. In recognition of its contributions, The Whiskey Wash Awards 2025 honored the distillery with The Parting Glass Award and a Double Gold Medal for Waterford Organic Cuvée Gaia—a fitting tribute to a distillery that redefined what Irish whiskey could be.

Cuvée Gaia exemplifies Waterford’s vision. Distilled from organic Irish barley grown at six different farms, it was matured for four years and seven months in a carefully curated mix of first-fill U.S. oak (28%), virgin U.S. oak (25%), premium French oak (19%), and vin doux naturel casks (28%). Bottled at 50% ABV, the whiskey demonstrates the complexity that comes from blending different terroirs—a hallmark of Waterford’s approach.

Upon tasting, Nino said of the whisky: “Organic whiskey is a rare animal in the spirits world. The focus of specific terroir and select organic practices in the farms Waterford works with reflects strongly in the barley nature of this expression. It is easily a must-have to sip and contemplate.” 

Founded by Mark Reynier, formerly of Bruichladdich, Waterford adopted the same commitment to transparency and provenance that defined his work in Scotch whisky. The distillery’s single-farm origin releases showcased individual barley sources. 

Though Waterford’s doors may be closed, its influence on whiskey-making, particularly in exploring barley’s role in flavor, will leave a lasting legacy.

Read the full article at The Very Best Whiskey From The Whiskey Wash Awards 2025