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Food & Wine's 2025 Top Shelf Awards Spotlight Buffalo Trace's 18-Year-Old 'B' Reserve as Best Bourbon

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 22:41 GMT by Food & Wine

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Food & Wine’s 2025 Top Shelf Awards: A Closer Look at the Best Bourbon, Starlight, and Japanese Mizunara Reserve Winners

Every year, Food & Wine’s Top Shelf Awards act as a barometer for what’s hot (or hot‑to‑cold) in the world of premium spirits. The 2025 edition is no exception, bringing a fresh cohort of awardees across the most coveted categories—from the golden depths of bourbon to the delicate nuance of Japanese Mizunara‑aged reserves. In this rundown we’ll unpack the headline‑making wins, the stories behind the bottles, and the broader trends that shaped the 2025 awards.

Best Bourbon: The “King” of the Golden Frontier

At the apex of the bourbon segment sits the long‑anticipated Buffalo Trace “B” Reserve 18‑Year‑Old. Awarded “Best Bourbon” for 2025, this 18‑year‑old from the iconic Kentucky distillery earned praise for its impeccable balance of vanilla, caramel, and a subtle hint of oak that lingered on the palate for an impressive 10‑second finish. Critics highlighted the 1.25‑hour, 70‑barrel maturation process in char‑red American oak barrels that gave the spirit its distinctive “toffee‑with‑a‑twist” flavor profile.

Not far behind is the Weller “Silver Stout” 20‑Year‑Old, a rare bourbon that emerged from a limited‑release run of 5,000 bottles. Its deep amber hue and notes of toasted hazelnut and dried apricot earned it a place in the “Best of the Best” segment, a testament to the craft bourbon renaissance that has been driving innovation across the state.

Both bottles are available in 750‑ml bottles with a retail price range of $170‑$240, making them coveted additions to any serious collector’s shelf. The Food & Wine review links to each distillery’s official product page, where buyers can snag a bottle (or two) before the stocks run thin.

Starlight: A New Age of Celebration

While “Starlight” might sound poetic, in the context of the Top Shelf Awards it denotes a category focused on cask‑aged, limited‑edition releases that embody a sense of wonder and sophistication. The 2025 winner, the Glenmorangie “Starlight” 12‑Year‑Old, is a Scottish single malt that blends traditional Highland grain with a unique barrel maturation process involving Spanish oak and a small proportion of French oak. Food & Wine writers noted that the resulting spirit showcases bright citrus notes followed by a mellow finish of vanilla and toasted almond.

Another highlight in this category is the Hibiki “Starlight” Japanese Blend—a collaboration between Suntory and master blender Shinjiro Torii. The award‑winning blend combines 70% Yamazaki single malt, 20% Hakushu single malt, and 10% Chita grain whisky. It is finished in a special “starlight” cask that imparts a subtle floral aroma reminiscent of midnight blossoms. Though not in the “Best Bourbon” column, the Hibiki “Starlight” is celebrated for its silky mouthfeel and a finish that lingers on the palate for 8‑10 seconds, a signature hallmark of the Hibiki brand.

The “Starlight” category, in essence, celebrates the creativity of distillers who push the boundaries of aging and cask selection, resulting in an elevated drinking experience that feels almost cinematic.

Japanese Mizunara Reserve: The Essence of Oak

The “Japanese Mizunara Reserve” category is arguably the most niche of the awards, yet it offers a window into the delicate craft that goes into creating an ultra‑premium Japanese whisky. Food & Wine singled out the Nikka “Mizunara” 15‑Year‑Old Reserve as the 2025 winner. What makes this bottle extraordinary is the use of Mizunara oak—a rare Japanese oak that infuses the spirit with a resinous, slightly spicy character. The whisky also receives a subtle green tea infusion during maturation, resulting in a complex bouquet of earthy cedar, floral jasmine, and a faint citrus edge.

The award also gave a nod to the Hakushu “Mizunara” Reserve—a smaller, 12‑year‑old release that showcases a lighter body yet a rich, lingering finish. Both of these bottles are priced in the high‑$200 range and are available through select high‑end retailers and the distilleries’ official online stores.

Beyond the accolades, the article delved into the historical significance of Mizunara oak, citing its scarcity and the fact that its resinous sap is naturally antibacterial, which reduces the risk of oxidation during long‑term storage. The Food & Wine review links to a detailed feature on the Mizunara oak, giving readers deeper context about how this unique grain contributes to the whisky’s flavor profile.

Broader Trends Highlighted by the 2025 Awards

The Top Shelf Awards not only spotlight individual bottles but also underline larger market shifts. Several recurring themes emerge from the 2025 list:

1. Premiumization and Limited‑Edition Bottlings: More and more distilleries are releasing ultra‑limited, cask‑specific bottles that are only available in small runs. The Buffalo Trace “B” Reserve 18‑Year‑Old and the Weller “Silver Stout” 20‑Year‑Old are perfect examples.
2. Innovation in Cask Technology: The use of “starlight” casks—special oak that imparts a subtle luminous quality—is becoming a hallmark of high‑end releases, as seen in both the Glenmorangie and Hibiki offerings.
3. Cross‑Cultural Collaborations: The Hibiki “Starlight” and the inclusion of Spanish oak in a Scottish single malt highlight the increasing trend of blending traditions from different regions to create something new.
4. Sustainability and Traceability: A few of the awardees, particularly the Japanese Mizunara reserves, highlighted the importance of using locally sourced, sustainable oak. This is a key conversation point for consumers who value ethical sourcing.

A Final Toast

In an industry often defined by the rapid churn of limited releases, Food & Wine’s 2025 Top Shelf Awards serve as a compass pointing toward quality, innovation, and storytelling. The “Best Bourbon” winner, the “Starlight” category, and the Japanese Mizunara Reserve each showcase a unique facet of what makes premium spirits exciting: the dedication to craftsmanship, the daring experimentation with cask types, and the celebration of heritage.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, these award‑winning bottles are more than just drinks—they’re experiences that capture a moment in the ongoing evolution of the world’s most beloved spirits. So raise a glass, savor the notes, and let the awards guide your next tasting adventure.