Standout Bourbon Winners at the 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon – Best of Class (Bourbon) $170
Expect flavors of vanilla, dried fig, tobacco, dark chocolate, and baking spice, all delivered with significant depth and intensity. Most batches fall between 55% and 60% ABV. Retail pricing typically ranges from $150 to $200.
Jos. A. Magnus & Co. revives a 19th-century whiskey brand originally founded in 1892. Reestablished in 2015, the modern iteration is known for sourcing mature bourbon and enhancing it through expert blending and cask finishing. Master blender Nancy Fraley has become central to the brand’s identity, overseeing its most acclaimed releases.
Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Special Release – Calvados – Best of Category (Blended Bourbon) $185
This special release from Joseph Magnus is part of the Murray Hill Club series and features a blend of 8- and 17-year-old bourbons finished in French Calvados casks. The use of apple brandy barrels brings a different dimension to the whiskey, adding soft fruit and spiced notes to its bourbon base.
The whiskey is bottled at 55.5% ABV and features flavors of baked apple, maple syrup, roasted coffee bean, and gentle baking spice. Limited in quantity, it generally retails for $100 to $120.
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Starlight Distillery Japanese Mizunara Reserve Bourbon Whiskey – Best of Category (Bourbon) $135
The whiskey is bottled at 58% ABV and non-chill filtered, with flavors that include vanilla, toasted coconut, sandalwood, and warm spice. It typically retails for around $150 and is released in small batches.
Starlight Distillery is part of the Huber family’s seventh-generation farm in Indiana, established in 1843. Known for their grain-to-glass ethos, they grow much of their grain on-site and are increasingly recognized for their creative barrel finishes, including collaborations with winemakers and cooperages around the world.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy These?
Availability varies. Some, like Cigar Blend and the Murray Hill Club Special Release, are produced in small batches and can be hard to find.
Competitions like the ADI are a useful filter, highlighting quality, character, and craftsmanship, but they’re not the final word. Taste is always personal. Use these winners as a starting point, not a shopping list.
