Heaven Hill announced on Tuesday that the iconic whiskey brand known for Elijah Craig and Larceny whiskeys just launched a Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series, which focuses on barrel selection and the maturation process. For 2025, the brands chose to work with Chinquapin Oak, a species native to Central and Eastern North America.
“Selecting Chinquapin Oak for the first Specialty Barrel Series was an exciting opportunity to deepen our exploration of wood and whiskey,” Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll said in a statement. “These barrels highlight the interplay between grain and oak in a way that elevates the mashbills, allowing each whiskey’s character to shine at barrel proof.”
The collection consists of three expressions: a bourbon, a wheated bourbon and a rye whiskey. Both bourbons clock in at 105 proof and the rye features a slightly elevated proof of 107. The brand states that every expression was bottled at 107 proof. Each whiskey has an MSRP of $129.99.
Heaven Hill shares that Chinquapin aging often yields whiskeys with a rich mouthfeel and plenty of layers on the finish. The brand shares that each whiskey has flavors of créme brûlée, chocolate and coffee aromas. These flavors purportedly stem from the oak species’ higher amounts of vanillin.
The 700 ml bottles are all embossed with the phrase “Family Owned Since 1935.” The bottles feature a gold coin cork insert and a “tax strip calling out the Chinquapin Oak barrels.” The whiskey brand additionally discloses the corn varietals, mashbills, distillation years and release years of each bottle. Each whiskey features bespoke illustrations showcasing Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery and images of Kentucky farmers. For all three expressions this year, Heaven Hill chose to work with Beck’s 6225 as a part of its corn percentage.
These latest releases follow the announcement of Heaven Hill’s Artist Series in September. The brand unveiled a five-bottle lineup of Bottled In Bond whiskeys with unique artwork from Kentucky artist, Bri Bowers. Bowers made custom artwork depicting the brand’s rickhouses, distilleries and more.
More On The Grain to Glass 2025 Specialty Barrel Series
Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon
This bourbon possesses a mashbill of 52% corn, 35% rye and 13% malt. The brand shares that it has aromas of toasted pecan and warm oak. On the palate, Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Bourbon offers up layers of spiced apple pie with cardamom. The bourbon finishes with vanilla ice cream and some gingered spice.
Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
This whiskey possesses a mashbill of 52% corn, 35% wheat and 13% malt. According to Heaven Hill’s website, the wheated bourbon possesses aromas of caramelized sugar and vanilla. The palate bursts forth with vanilla and rose petals, with a distinctive floral quality. The finish brings leather and coffee to mind.
Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Rye
With a mashbill of 63% rye, 24% corn and 13% malt, Heaven Hill proclaims that this year’s rye whiskey features a citrus-driven palate with orange marmalade and chocolate. White pepper offers a spicy kick and honey gives it a touch of sweetness. The finish is full of rye spice, créme brûlée and oak.
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