February 3, 2025 –Milam & Greene Whiskey’s Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been awarded a GOLD medal and 9/10 rating at the 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards. The 2025 Whiskey Wash Awards are based on more than 300 independent reviews conducted throughout 2024, encompassing 120 Scotch whiskies, 81 American whiskies, and 75 bourbons, alongside selections from Ireland, Japan and other world regions. All whiskies considered were either released in 2024 or are available from the manufacturer as part of their core range or special releases. Of the more than 300 expressions evaluated through the Whiskey Wash Award’s rigorous, independent review process in 2024, 144 expressions achieved award status.
The judging process employs a straightforward 10-point rating system designed to reflect real-world whiskey appreciation rather than overly technical analysis. Whiskies scoring 8 points are awarded Silver, reflecting “amazing” expressions that reach towards the upper echelon of whiskey nobility. Gold awards are given to those achieving 9 points, marking them as “exceptional” examples of their style. The coveted Double Gold designation, reserved for whiskies scoring a perfect 10, recognizes “monumental” releases that are spoken of in whiskey legends.
Unlike many industry awards, The Whiskey Wash operates a strict no-fee competition format. “Our selections were made without entry fees or commercial consideration,” explains Mark Littler, Editor-in-Chief. “Many of these spirits were reviewed as samples, but our strict independent review policy ensures unbiased evaluation.”
Only a small fraction of the whiskeys produced in the United States adhere to the criteria for the highly regulated Bottled in Bond Act designation. In order to protect the integrity, quality, and authenticity of aged whiskey in the U.S., The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 dictates that anyone using this designation must meet the following criteria: the spirit must be produced in a single distilling season by a single distillery, it must mature in a U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years, and the aged spirits must be bottled at exactly 50% ABV / 100 Proof. Only by adhering to this meticulous process can it be called a Bottled in Bond whiskey, making this style truly specialized.
To produce this Bottled in Bond bourbon, the Milam & Greene team used its signature mash bill featuring malted rye, which offers a richer texture and a slight nuttiness, and its proprietary yeast recipe that provides balance. The resulting whiskey has richness and depth that is characteristic of each Milam & Greene whiskey, whether created in the copper pot stills in Blanco, Texas, or with the collaborative partner in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Throughout the year, the Milam & Greene whiskey team travels to Bardstown, Kentucky to distill on continuous column stills using our people, proprietary mashbill of 70% corn, 22% malted rye, and 8% malted barley, and unique yeast strain to achieve a balanced and well-rounded flavor profile for its whiskey. This 2024 inaugural bottling of Bottled in Bond Bourbon was distilled by the Milam & Greene whiskey team in Kentucky, in Autumn 2019, and rested in char-4 oak barrels in a U.S. bonded warehouse. After careful aging and monitoring, in the spring of 2024, 72 barrels were selected and brought to Blanco, Texas for batching and hand-bottling at exactly 100 Proof.
Notes of candy corn, honey, and chocolate malt pop on the nose. On the palate, the bourbon bursts with flavors of fresh bread, malted milk balls, wildflower honey, and a touch of tannic oak. A smooth finish with lingering grain, spearmint, and cinnamon flavors rounds out the profile. With its complexity and depth of flavor, this mahogany-colored bourbon is versatile enough to be enjoyed neat or in a classic cocktail.
Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available in 750ml bottles for a suggested retail price of $64.99 at select fine retailers in the U.S., on the Milam & Greene website, and in the distillery tasting room in Blanco, Texas.
About Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene Whiskey believes in using the best people and ingredients to create delicious, award-winning whiskey for whiskey lovers. Named after its founder, Texas entrepreneur Marsha Milam, and CEO, master blender, and author Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey embodies the dedication and expertise of its remarkable team. Milam & Greene Whiskey is made by some of the world’s most experienced whiskey professionals, including Heather Greene, and 30-year whiskey veteran and master distiller, Marlene Holmes. Milam & Greene earned recognition as the “2023 Rising Star Spirits Company of the Year” at The Ascot Awards followed by Greene being awarded “2023 Master Blender of the Year” and Holmes being honored as “2024 Master Distiller of the Year.” The Milam & Greene team distills in Blanco, Texas on copper pot stills as well as in Kentucky on classic column stills, using its proprietary yeast recipe and mash bill. Aging takes place in casks with an assortment of char levels, located in rickhouses spread across four states with varying climates and terroir resulting in a variety of flavors that create the most thorough array of casks collected by any craft distiller. These casks become the ingredients from which its award-winning American whiskey range is batched to create perfection. For more information, visit: http://www.milamandgreenewhiskey.com/.
About The Whiskey Wash
The Whiskey Wash reaches over 2.3 million users annually across global markets, delivering comprehensive coverage across all whisky categories. With over 2,500 independent reviews since 2013, the site provides authoritative news, reviews, and features to both enthusiasts and industry professionals, making it one of the most extensive resources for whisky coverage worldwide.
