The ADI International Spirits Competition is a leading benchmark for craft distilling, with a focus on independently owned producers and flavor-first judging. Entries are assessed blind by distillers, bartenders, journalists, and sensory specialists, with awards based on technical merit and overall impression.
In this article, we spotlight four standout bourbons from the 2025 competition. Each earned Best of Class or Category, and together they reflect the innovation, range, and quality driving the next wave of bourbon.
Standout Bourbon Winners at the 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon – Best of Class (Bourbon) $170
Cigar Blend is a limited-edition bourbon from Joseph Magnus, blended by Nancy Fraley using well-aged straight bourbons, some over 15 years old, and finished in Armagnac casks for between 4 and 12 months. Each batch is released at cask strength, with slight variations between editions. It’s known for its rich, concentrated style and layered flavor profile.
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.
Starlight Distillery Japanese Mizunara Reserve Bourbon Whiskey – Best of Category (Bourbon) $135
Produced by Starlight Distillery in Indiana, this release is a blend of 7-year-old bourbons finished in Japanese Mizunara oak. Mizunara is prized for its unique aromatic profile and is rarely used in American whiskey production due to its cost and scarcity.
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?
If you’re looking to explore beyond the mainstream bourbon brands, these ADI award-winning bourbons are a strong place to start. Each offers something distinct, whether it’s a rare finishing cask, an unusual mash bill, or a bold, high-proof blend, and reflects the kind of innovation driving the American craft whiskey scene.
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.
Read the full article at The ADI International Spirits Competition’s Best Bourbons of 2025
