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Heaven Hill's Specialty Barrel Series: Crafting Excellence in Every Sip

Heaven Hill Distillery has made waves in the whiskey world with its announcement of the first-ever release of the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Specialty Barrel Series. This innovative extension from the renowned Grain to Glass line reaffirms the distillery's commitment to quality, sustainability, and heritage, traits that have been dear to its operations since 1935.

A Celebration of Craft and Tradition

Set in Bardstown, Kentucky, Heaven Hill lays down its legacy upon the foundation of craftsmanship and artistry. The 2025 Specialty Barrel Series is an embodiment of this vision. This new offering showcases three unique expressions of Kentucky Whiskey: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, and Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Each expression has been meticulously aged for six long years in Chinquapin Oak barrels. These barrels are selected intricately by Heaven Hill's distilling experts alongside the Independent Stave Company, ensuring each whiskey is developed with precision and care.

The Essence of Chinquapin Oak

The choice of Chinquapin Oak barrels for aging marks a significant departure from the traditional white oak used in previous releases. Known for its distinct characteristics and higher vanillin content, Chinquapin Oak imparts unique flavors such as butterscotch, crème brûlée, and chocolate. This innovation in barrel selection enhances the depth and complexity of the whiskey, offering connoisseurs a fresh perspective on their favorite spirits. Conor O'Driscoll, the Master Distiller at Heaven Hill, expressed, "Selecting Chinquapin Oak for our inaugural Specialty Barrel Series was an exhilarating venture, shedding new light on the interaction between grain and wood that elevates the whiskey experience."

Partnerships Rooted in Heritage

Central to Heaven Hill's ethos is its collaboration with local farms, underscoring a commitment to community and quality. For the 2025 series, the distillery partnered with Beck's Hybrids, a family-owned seed company based in Indiana. The specific corn varietal used, Beck's 6225, was cultivated by the Peterson Farms, which lies mere miles from Heaven Hill's Bardstown campus. Max Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill, commented, "Since Heaven Hill's inception, our gaze has been set on the future, always aiming to forge products and partnerships that stand the test of time. This Specialty Barrel Series melds innovation with transparency as it extends our Grain to Glass vision while honoring our storied legacy."

Individual Declarations of Distinction

Let’s take a closer look at each expression featured in this unique series:

• - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – A robust 105 proof whiskey, made from a mashbill consisting of 52% corn, 35% rye, and 13% malt.
• - Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey – Also bottled at 105 proof, this variant features a mashbill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malt, offering a distinctly softer profile.
• - Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – Weighing in at 107 proof, this rye whiskey comprises a mashbill that contains 63% rye, 24% corn, and 13% malt, delivering the spice that rye enthusiasts crave.

Each whiskey in the series honors the historic entry proof employed by Heaven Hill’s founders and is bottled non-chill filtered, preserving the richness and integrity of the flavors derived from the Chinquapin Oak.

How to Acquire the Specialty Barrel Series

Launching in November 2025, the Heavenly Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series boasts a limited release, available for $129.99 per unique 700ml bottle. Each package is exquisitely designed, from jewel-toned labels to elegant aesthetics, complete with a gold-coin cork insert and details that share the rich background of each expression. To enhance transparency, every label meticulously lists the mashbill, corn varietal, and distillation years, complemented by custom illustrations reminiscent of Bernheim Distillery’s artistic narrative and Kentucky’s farming legacy.

Awards that Celebrate Quality

Heaven Hill's dedication to excellence resonates strongly within industry circles, as the Grain to Glass line has secured numerous accolades over the past year. The Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon was celebrated with a Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards and earned a Best of Class finalist spot at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Further accolades followed in 2025 when the Wheated Bourbon earned a Gold award at the World Whiskies Awards, while the Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey was named Best American Rye. Whisky Advocate also recognized the Grain to Glass Bourbon, rating it #5 among the Top 20 Whiskies of 2024, achieving an impressive score of 94.

In conclusion, the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series serves not only as a reflection of fine craftsmanship but also a genuine homage to the distillery's rich heritage. With its innovative spirit and commitment to tradition, Heaven Hill continues to captivate whiskey lovers across the globe. For further details, visit Heaven Hill Distillery's Grain to Glass.

About Heaven Hill Distillery

Founded by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery stands as a pillar in American Whiskey production. Evolving through decades of dedication and innovation, Heaven Hill boasts more than 2 million barrels aging across its facilities, driving quality and tradition at every level. The distillery offers a diverse range of award-winning American Whiskeys that celebrate its pivotal role in the industry, winning accolades as Distiller of the Year multiple times, including the recent 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine recognition. With a vision that honors both heritage and innovation, Heaven Hill invites all to enjoy responsibly.