Recommended Free Tools
Starlight Distillery’s Japanese Mizunara Reserve Finished Bourbon was named Best Overall Bourbon at the Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala. Food & Wine’s headline described it as a $150 bottle, but that figure is not a verified current shelf price—and the award is a competition result, not proof that it is objectively the world’s best bourbon.
Which bourbon won Top Shelf 2025’s Best Overall award?
The winner was Starlight Distillery Japanese Mizunara Reserve Finished Bourbon. It also received Top Shelf 2025’s Best Special Barrel-Finished Bourbon honor, according to Food & Wine’s November 22, 2025 report.
Food & Wine reports that the bourbon had previously earned Double Gold and 99 points at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). That is a competition score, not a universal measure of quality or a head-to-head verdict against every bourbon on the market.
What does the Top Shelf award tell you?
Food & Wine describes Top Shelf as the gala culmination of multiple judging rounds, recognizing Best in Class and Best in Show winners from the SFWSC and the San Francisco Ready to Drink Competition. The gala’s spirits awards are selected from SFWSC Double Gold medalists. The award therefore reflects a defined competition process, rather than a ranking of every bourbon available worldwide.
#1 Best Overall
- UNIQUE AND STYLISH DESIGN-Stunning old fashioned whiskey glass set with timeless design. Not only a glass, but also an artwork. This whiskey tumbler fits effortlessly in your hand, Use it to tasting your favorite bourbon or scotch
- RUGGED,SAFE AND EASY TO CLEAN-Using crystal glass production technology, high transparency,this Whiskey glassware are heavier than others and gives you a real sense of strength and substantiality, They are virtually unbreakable and dishwasher safe,Easy to clean and durable enough to maintain its durability
- PATENT PENDING DESIGN AND STACKABLE-LORSIA’s ice molds are designed by our team and filed with the United States Patent and Trade Office.The perfect design makes them easier to fill with water and get full spheres,Save more time and provide a better user experience,Unlike other ice ball mold only a little injection hole and difficult to fill in water. Ice ball molds can be stacked vertically to save freezer space and ensure that your freezer space is maximized
- SAFE AND EASY TO CLEAN-The spherical ice mold is made of high-quality food-grade materials (BPA-Free) , long-term freezing, healthy and odorless, resistant to falling, flexible and not easy to break，easy to clean quickly and dishwasher safe
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: Guided by our values of Quality, Trust, and Integrity, your satisfaction is our top priority. We offer a satisfaction guarantee with a 30-day money-back policy, free replacements, and responsive customer service within 24 hours.
Top Shelf’s description, quoted by Food & Wine, says: “Each honoree represents a benchmark of excellence within [a respective] category, setting new standards for taste, innovation, and craftsmanship.” The bracketed wording is part of the quotation as it appears in Food & Wine.
How is Starlight’s Mizunara Reserve made?
The bourbon combines whiskey from two mash bills. One is 60% corn, 20% rye, and 20% malted barley; the other is 51% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley, and 9% wheat. Food & Wine says the corn, rye, and wheat are grown on the family farm, while rye is also sourced from nearby partner farms.
Rank #2
- GOOD QUALITY LEAD FREE CRYSTAL - High quality crystal glass, Diamond-like detailing for texture and brilliant refraction, Sparkle beautifully in the light! KANARS lowball glass offers excellent clarity, perfect for bourbon,scotch and whisky
- SOLID AND HEAVY BASE DESIGN - Highly breakage resistant thanks to Platinum Glass production process, KANARS Whiskey glassware are heavier than others and gives you a real sense of strength and substantiality. They are virtually unbreakable and dishwasher safe, also durable enough to retain its sparkle for many years to come
- ENHANCE YOUR WHISKEY EXPERIENCE: This unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care and embodies unrivaled sophistication to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The flaring mouth takes the experience to another level and allows ease of drinking while capturing all of the essential aromas.
- UNIQUE AND STYLISH - Stunning old fashioned cocktail glass set with timeless design. Not only a glass, but also an artwork. This whiskey tumbler fits effortlessly in your hand. Use it to taste your favorite bourbon or scotch on the rocks
- PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY WHISKEY LOVER - Each Whiskey Glass tumbler is carefully packaged in a unique elegant gift box. An exceptional value and an excellent gift for men dad, perfect for wedding, birthday and anniversary gifts, also it can be used as a high-grade glassware in home
Food & Wine describes the whiskey as aged for seven years, then finished in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels for nearly six months. About eight barrels are blended before bottling at cask strength, generally 112–116 proof. The reported proof range is not a single guaranteed bottling strength.
The distillery is in Borden, Indiana. The Huber family began distilling bourbon in 2013, according to Food & Wine.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- Unique sculpted crystal glasses with substantial feel and timeless design, perfect for sipping bourbon or scotch
- Heavy crystal construction provides durability and dishwasher safety
- Patent pending ice ball molds create large 2 in spheres easily without leaks or spills
- BPA-free ice molds are flexible, stackable and maximize freezer space
Is it really a $150 bottle?
The $150 figure appears in Food & Wine’s headline, but the article text does not establish a current offer or live retail price. Treat it as the price framing used in that report, not as a confirmed price you can expect to pay today. The reviewed information also does not confirm current stock or where the bottle can be shipped.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does it compare with other Top Shelf 2025 bourbon winners?
These other winners provide context on the gala’s bourbon categories; the award list does not establish that they were tasted against Starlight in one direct comparison. The names and categories below are reported by Food & Wine.
Rank #4
- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
- SPECIFICATIONS - CONTENTS – GLENCAIRN WHISKY GLASS, SET OF 4 IN 4 PACK GIFT CARTON | LEAD FREE CRYSTAL | DISHWASHER SAFE
| Award category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Straight Bourbon | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C924 |
| Best Wheated Bourbon | Frank August Case Study: 05 Wheated Reserve Barrel Batch Bourbon |
| Best Small Batch Bourbon Up to 5 Years | 1792 Small Batch Straight Bourbon |
| Best Small Batch Bourbon 6 to 10 Years | ASW Distillery Fiddler Encore Bourbon Georgia Oak |
| Best Single Barrel Bourbon Up to 10 Years | Safai Bourbon 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon |
| Best Single Barrel 11 Years and Older; Best Single Barrel Bourbon | O.K.I. Bourbon 16-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon |
| Best Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years and Older; Best Overall Small Batch Bourbon | O.K.I. Bourbon 15-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon |
The categories distinguish different styles and formats, so the list alone cannot establish which bottle offers the best value for a particular buyer. For a practical comparison, look for each bottle’s category, age statement, finishing method, proof, actual local price, and availability. The reviewed coverage does not provide tasting notes or comparative value analysis for all the other winners.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
- SPECIFICATIONS - CONTENTS – GLENCAIRN GLASS X 2 IN A GIFT CARTON| LEAD FREE CRYSTAL | DISHWASHER SAFE
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
