Frank August Small Batch Bourbon

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Small Batch of 10-15 barrels
Distillery: Sourced from an non-disclosed Kentucky distillery
Mashbill: High Rye
Age: NAS but 5.5 – 6 Years
Proof: 100

We’re definitely giving ourselves a little self-high-five here at Papa Lou’s because we’ve been carrying Frank August since it first hit the shelves back in 2022. We’ve been sneaky fans from the start, introducing dozens of folks to this bourbon, and it quickly became our best-seller. And now? Well, we couldn’t be happier — this beauty just snagged the title of “World’s Best Bourbon” at the 2025 IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Competition). 98 points in a blind tasting? That’s basically bourbon perfection and we’re raising a glass (or three) in celebration!

Nose: This bourbon walks in like it’s auditioning for a candy-and-spice commercial: rich caramel, soft vanilla, and a flirtatious wink of cinnamon, oak, and fruit. It’s inviting, charming, and makes you think, “Yeah, I want to sit with this one a while.”

Palate: The sip is like a perfectly orchestrated orchestra of flavor. Apple tart, honey, dried apricots, vanilla, and caramel all mingle politely, while warm spice sneaks in to keep things lively. Every taste feels intentional — balanced, confident, and somehow ridiculously easy to love. It’s the bourbon equivalent of a charismatic friend who can tell a joke, pour a perfect drink, and still somehow make you feel like the smartest person in the room.

Finish: Smooth, spicy, and just long enough to make you consider a second pour. Sweetness, spice, and a touch of bitter balance all stick the landing — it’s like a gentle pat on the back from bourbon itself, saying, “You made a good choice, friend.”

In short: Frank August Small Batch is a refined, award-winning bourbon that’s approachable enough to make friends with newcomers, yet classy enough to impress even the most seasoned whiskey snob. Drinking it is basically like giving your taste buds a gold medal and a hug at the same time.