Trio of new Heaven Hill releases leans into distinctive oak. What makes it special?
.jpg "Heaven Hill is releasing three new whiskeys in its award-winning Grain to Glass line, all specially aged in Chinquapin Oak barrels: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon, Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Kentucky Straight Rye will be available in November with a suggested retail price of $129.99 for a 700mL bottle.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Heaven Hill launches 2025 Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series nationwide.
- Three six-year Kentucky whiskeys aged in Chinquapin Oak barrels highlight oak.
- 700mL bottles priced $129.99; bourbons 105 proof, rye 107, limited November release.
Heaven Hill Distillery has released the first in a new series of bourbons in its acclaimed Grain to Glass line.
The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series builds on the Bardstown distillery’s award-winning new line launched in 2024 with a specially choses corn varietal chosen and grown by the family-owned Peterson Farms in Nelson County.
The 2025 Specialty Barrel Series features three Kentucky whiskeys — Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey and Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — each fully aged for six years in Chinquapin Oak barrels hand selected by Heaven Hill’s distilling team in collaboration with Independent Stave Co.
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What is Chinquapin Oak? It’s a member of the white oak family, known especially for its sweet acorns, the sweetest of any oak, and that sweetness carries into the wood in the barrels, which deliver extra vanillin to the aging spirit.
These barrels give the whiskeys distinctive characteristics, including extra notes of butterscotch, creme brulee, toasted nut, chocolate and coffee, creating a bold mouthfeel and layered finish, according to the tasting notes.
“Selecting Chinquapin Oak for the first Specialty Barrel Series was an exciting opportunity to deepen our exploration of wood and whiskey,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller. “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.”
Both of the bourbons are 105 proof; the rye is 107 proof.
The three expressions have a suggested retail price of $129.99 each for a 700mL bottle. The releases will be available nationally beginning in November in limited quantities.
