Starlight Distillery has won multiple awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), including two perfect-scoring Double Gold medals for its Mizunara Reserve Bourbon and Blackberry Flavored Whiskey. The Starlight, Indiana-based distillery received six total honors across its portfolio at the competition.
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READ THE STORYBoth the Mizunara Reserve Bourbon (Batch 3) and the Blackberry Flavored Whiskey earned Double Gold medals with scores of 99, the highest score possible in the competition.
The SFWSC is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world. It is presented by the Tasting Alliance and awards medals after blind tastings conducted by panels of professional judges.
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Starlight’s Amburana “Cigar Batch” Bourbon also received a Double Gold medal with a score of 97. The distillery’s Honey Reserve Bourbon earned a Double Gold with a score of 96.
Two additional expressions received Gold medals. The Single Barrel Bourbon scored 92, and the Orchard Blossom Rye Whiskey scored 90.
“Receiving multiple Gold and Double Gold honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is an incredible honor for our team and family,” said Ted Huber, sixth-generation master distiller at Starlight Distillery.
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“These awards are a testament to the dedication, passion, sustainability, and craftsmanship that go into every bottle we produce,” Huber added.
The distillery is currently celebrating 25 years of spirits production. Starlight Distillery operates as part of Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards, a family-owned agricultural operation in southern Indiana that traces its roots back to 1843.
“As we celebrate 25 years of spirits production, this recognition reinforces our commitment to innovation while staying true to the values and traditions that define Starlight Distillery,” Huber said.
The Mizunara Reserve Bourbon is aged using Japanese mizunara oak, a wood prized in whiskey maturation for its distinctive flavor contributions. Mizunara oak has gained significant attention across the American whiskey category in recent years as distillers experiment with alternative cask finishes.
The SFWSC competition recognizes both globally renowned distilleries and rising small-batch producers. Medal winners from the competition frequently see increased trade and consumer demand following the announcement of results.
The full list of SFWSC award winners is available on the competition’s website, and you can view all of the bourbon winners here.
