Brown sugar | Fig | Chocolate shavings | Fudge pudding | Black currant

Dr. Pepper | Plum | Dark sweet cherry | Black currant | Allspice

Blackberry cobbler | Molasses | Sweet charred oak | Cream soda

Starlight Distillery, located in Borden, Indiana, calls Huber’s Orchard & Winery home. The farm started in 1843 when Simon Huber settled it, and is now in the 7th generation of Hubers living and working on the farm.

Starlight Distillery began distilling bourbon in 2013, and in 2015, they laid down barrels for what would become this 9.5 Year Bourbon (and 10 Year Bourbon), marking the oldest bourbons the distillery has ever released. According to the  company, they have 40+ barrels from this same lot that age beyond 10 years.

The 10 Year Old Bourbon, which the company also released in 2025 struggled with a finish marred with dryness. This 9.5 year old single barrel bourbon doesn’t have the same issue and does an excellent job of presenting a bourbon that is full of life and vigor. At 108 proof, this drinks with the same flavor intensity as a barrel proof bourbon. Rich chocolate and soda pop sweetness can be found throughout. Paired with additional notes of dark fruits and rich chewy oak, results in the best bourbon I’ve ever tasted from Starlight Distillery.

Supply of these high aged bourbons are still limited and are mainly confined to the company’s gift shop and distillery’s website - though some will make it to retail locations. Despite this, it's good to know that the earliest barrels Starlight put down are yielding such good results - and that more are coming. The 9.5 Year’s price point is extremely reasonable for the sip it delivers. Be sure to keep a lookout for future 9-10 year old releases from Starlight, as this single barrel is very impressive and hopefully a sign of what's to come.

The bourbon in review is from barrel no. 16264.