A local distillery won two big titles at this year’s World Whiskies Awards.
The prestigious awards are organized by Whisky Magazine and celebrate excellence in whisky production across the world. The ceremony was held at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville last week, and Covington’s Wenzel Distillery was awarded Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon and World’s Best Finished Bourbon for its Sherry-Finished Bourbon.
“We are honored to receive such a distinguished award and to be recognized among the world’s best,” Austin Dunbar, Wenzel Distillery co-founder, said in a press release. “Our team’s dedication to quality and innovation has been instrumental in achieving this milestone. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our expanded facility and sharing our passion for bourbon.”
Wenzel Distillery is currently working on expanding its Covington facility. The upgraded distillery will feature guided tours of its production area, highlighting its state-of-the-art 500-gallon Vendrome Hybrid Pot Still and providing guests with an immersive experience in the art and science of bourbon-making. The distillery says construction on that is nearing completion.
The win also underscores the distillery’s recent honor of officially being added to The B-Line, a group of bourbon-centric distilleries, bars and restaurants that offer a self-guided bourbon experience in Northern Kentucky, earlier this month. It was also among 10 stops added to the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
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“Joining these esteemed trails underscores Wenzel’s commitment to sharing its rich heritage and premium spirits with a broader audience,” the distillery shared in the release.
Currently, Wenzel Distillery is open for custom bourbon-blending experiences and can be rented for private events. Its award-winning Sherry-Finished Bourbon can be found for sale at the distillery while supplies last.
You can see all the 2025 World Whiskies Award winners here.
Wenzel Distillery, 15 Tobacco Alley, Covington. More info: wenzelwhiskey.com.
This article appears in Feb 19 – Mar 4, 2025.
