The 13 Best Bourbons In America

In the "Whiskey - USA" category at last month's International Wine and Spirit Competition, great bottles of bourbon won a "Gold," but the very best took home a "Gold Outstanding" for setting the industry standard for excellence.

These bottles all went through the gauntlet. Wines and liquors are subject to professional blind tasting and chemical and microbiological analysis at the competition. Only the strong spirits survive.

From recognizable names like Jim Beam and Knob Creek to smaller distilleries that — if you can believe it — do not call Kentucky home, here are the best bourbons.