Bourbon Whiskey·More from Frank August

Frank August Small Batch 2025

700mL

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced its top bourbon for 2025: Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Scoring 98 out of 100 points, this bottle retails for around $70 and outperformed many more expensive (and widely known) bourbons. Frank August might not be a household name yet, but it has definitely earned recognition in certain whiskey circles. Founded in 2022 by former fashion executive Johnathan Crocker and partners, it is a non-distilling producer (NDP) that sources and blends whiskey from Kentucky distilleries. Its winning entrant is a 100-proof Kentucky bourbon, blended in batches of 10 to 15 barrels sourced from an undisclosed distillery (or distilleries). As a result, we don’t know the exact mash bill, and it’s a non-age-stated blend. (Though, due to federal labeling requirements, we know it’s at least four years old.) The bourbon was initially tasted in June at IWSC’s North American competition in Bardstown, Kentucky. Judges who sampled and rated the spirit included Millie Milliken (spirits and cocktail writer), Dr. Bill Lumsden (head of distilling and whisky creation at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg), Reece Sims (founder of Flavor Camp), and Ryan Mills (whiskey influencer and educator). Frank August Small Batch was ultimately awarded an impressive 98 points and a Gold Outstanding medal.