top shelf
Where liquor waits
Top shelf describes the highest quality or most prestigious category of something.
The metaphor comes from retail displays where premium liquor is stored on upper shelves, out of easy reach: top-shelf whiskey, a top-shelf performance.
In hockey, a top-shelf shot goes high in the goal, just under the crossbar.
Added cost for better
- first-rateOf superior quality
- superiorHigher in rank
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
- high-gradeOf superior quality
finest · best · prime · elite · excellence · cream of the crop · high-quality · above average
Oak-aged grain spirit
- bourbonCorn-based American spirit
- scotchDecisively put an end to
- vodkaClear distilled spirit
- ginCotton-cleaning machine
rum · tequila · cognac · brandy · spirits · premium · reserve · single malt
premium
Added cost for better
- first-rateOf superior quality
- superiorHigher in rank
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
high-grade · finest · best · prime · elite · excellence · cream of the crop · high-quality · above average · select
whiskey
Oak-aged grain spirit
gin · rum · tequila · cognac · brandy · spirits · premium · reserve · single malt · aged
cabinet
Enclosed storage furniture
reach · height · out of reach · display · stockroom · aisle · grocery · supermarket · warehouse · rack
goal
Desired end result
corner · bar down · dangle · celly · highlight reel · goalie · wrist shot · slap shot · breakaway · hat trick
- premium spiritscognac, scotch, bourbon, single malt, aged whiskey
- display spotswindow display, end cap, checkout, countertop, wall mount
- topapex, peak, summit, pinnacle, zenith
- hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
- bar culturebar counter, bar tab, bar tabs, bar stools, bar rail
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
top shelfbottom shelf
Lowest horizontal storage surface
low-grade · bargain bin · inferior · cheap · low-quality