Starlight Distillery wins award at Heartland Whiskey Competition

BORDEN, Ind. — Starlight Distillery in Borden received the Top Farmer-Distiller award at the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition.

The award is determined by the highest average score across three judged spirits from a single qualifying distillery. To qualify as a farmer-distiller, participants must both own a distillery and operate a working farm.

The Huber family has a long history producing brandies from the fruit grown on their estate.

In 2013, they started making bourbon. Now, they also produce rye, vodka, gin and a blackberry whiskey.

“This was an impressive showing from corn farmers who own distilleries, showcasing their ability to produce top-tier products and develop high-quality grain for distilling — grain that benefits craft distillers across the board,” said Paul Hodgen, a farmer from Roachdale and an Indiana Corn Marketing Council director.

“ICMC, together with other state checkoff organizations, is proud to sponsor this competition to raise awareness of the many uses of corn.”

The 2025 competition marked the fifth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition, open to craft whiskeys incorporating corn in their mash bill.