The Texas Whiskey Festival has announced its 2025 competition winners, revealing the most exceptional whiskeys crafted across Texas. The annual competition, known for its rigorous blind-judging process, recognized outstanding spirits in categories ranging from bourbon and rye to malt and flavored whiskeys.
Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon claimed gold in the Best Bourbon category, while Devils River 5-Year Straight Rye Whiskey took top honors in the rye whiskey competition. Ranger Creek Texas Landmark Single Malt emerged as the best malt whiskey, highlighting the state's expanding whiskey-making expertise.
Notable winners also included innovative cask-finished whiskeys, with Giant Texas Distilling's Tejas Collaboration - Cigar Blend winning gold in that category. The festival's People's Choice Awards further demonstrated consumer preferences, with Mossy Horn Whiskey taking the top spot.
The competition reflects the growing sophistication of Texas whiskey production, showcasing the state's commitment to quality, innovation, and craft distilling. Judges and industry experts suggest these awards represent more than just a competition—they signal Texas's emerging prominence in the national spirits landscape.
Co-founder Jake Clements emphasized the festival's core mission: celebrating Texas whiskey through unbiased evaluation and promoting the state's distilling community. The awards serve as a benchmark for excellence and provide consumers with a curated guide to the best local spirits.
