top-shelf

American  

[top-shelf] / ˈtɒpˈʃɛlf /

Or top shelf

adjective

1. of high quality; premium.

   His bar cart was full of top-shelf liquor.

   The cinematography is top-shelf.

---

Etymology

Origin of top-shelf

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The turbine-themed 21-inch wheels on the top-shelf Calligraphy model just sing.

From The Wall Street Journal

He looked especially exposed against top-shelf competition, throwing three picks in a game against Ole Miss.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some top-shelf brands are making their stores larger, and luxury brands, including LVMH, Chanel, Hermes and Richemont, are buying their stores instead of renting them, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

In an age when top-shelf quarterbacks command annual paydays in excess of $50 million, it’s increasingly popular for teams to defer some of the cost into the future in an effort to build a stronger contender in the present.

From The Wall Street Journal

My answer is in the opening observation about the wealth of top-shelf TV and limited space and hours in a day; in any event, I assure you that these 10 selections are time well spent.

From Salon