The third – and final – list of gold medal winners at the New York International Spirits Competition 2025 features American whisky.
Branded Content – I Bourbon
I Bourbon, the fast-growing craft bourbon brand founded by Tripp Whitbeck, has proudly taken home a Gold Medal (95 points) at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC), further solidifying its position as a standout in the world of American whiskey.
Born out of Whitbeck’s Arlington, Virginia condominium, I Bourbon is built on a simple but powerful vision: to create a bourbon for everyone. Recognising that not every drinker enjoys the heavy, smoky profiles often found in traditional expressions (“like drinking a campfire,” as Whitbeck puts it), he set out to develop a bourbon that marries complexity with approachability.
After tasting bourbons from New York to Florida – and everywhere in between – Whitbeck sourced barrels of a beautiful 13-year-old bourbon from Tennessee. To temper this powerhouse bourbon, Whitbeck then sourced five- and six-year-old bourbons, also from Tennessee distilleries. The result is a meticulously crafted straight Tennessee bourbon, blended by Whitbeck himself using nothing more than hydrometers, droppers and sheer determination – all from the comfort of his living room couch.
Despite launching during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I Bourbon quickly captured the attention of critics and consumers alike. Early accolades included ‘Best Bourbon’ at the Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards, a 90-point ‘Outstanding’ rating from Whisky Advocate, and a 90.5 ‘Brilliant’ score from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
The gold medal at NYISC, alongside a recent gold win at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is the latest in a string of prestigious honours, underscoring I Bourbon’s exceptional quality and cross-category appeal. From neat pours enjoyed by seasoned connoisseurs to cocktails crafted by curious newcomers, I Bourbon is designed to be as versatile as it is refined.
Currently available in physical retail locations across six US states and shipping direct-to-consumer in 41 states, I Bourbon is rapidly carving out a loyal fanbase. As Whitbeck likes to say: “I Bourbon? It’s Yours.”
