Kentucky whiskey named 2025’s best in the world by national magazine
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Whisky Advocate named Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye 2025 Whisky of the Year.
- Heaven Hill released a 12 yr 3 mo Barrel Proof Rye, 108 proof, $74.99
- Seven Kentucky whiskies made Whisky Advocate's Top 20 list, showing regional strength.
A Kentucky whiskey has been named 2025 “Whisky of the Year,” but it isn’t a bourbon.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye was selected by “Whisky Advocate” as the best whisky of the year, the first time an American rye has taken the top honor.
In September, Heaven Hill released its first Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in the Elijah Craig portfolio. Aged 12 years and three months and bottled at 108 proof, it drew rave reviews from whiskey enthusiasts and critics.
The bourbon equivalent, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, was named Whisky of the Year in 2017. To have the new release match that has been a big honor, according to the family-owned Kentucky distillery.
“To have Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye recognized as Whisky of the Year during our 90th anniversary year is profoundly meaningful,” said Max Shapira, executive chairman of Heaven Hill Brands, in a statement. “For nine decades, our family has remained committed to elevating American Whiskey with patience, integrity, and a deep respect for tradition. This award is a remarkable tribute to the generations of craftspeople who have shaped Heaven Hill, and to the bright future of American Whiskey that we continue to build together.”
This version, selected by master distiller Conor O’Driscoll and his team, is Batch A925. It’s available nationwide in 750mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $74.99. It will be released three times a year, in January, May and September.
According to the tasting notes, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye has a nose of baking spices, gingerbread and molasses. On the palate, it’s complex, with notes of stewed fruits and cinnamon and a lingering finish of nutmeg and rye spice.
“Whisky Advocate” gave the rye a score of 96 and said in the review that it is “no spice bomb” but is intense with plenty of heat.
“An inviting nose offers dark fruit, rye spice, and aged oak. The palate has dark flavors of licorice, chocolate, and stewed fruits, melding with lighter sweet notes of French toast and sweet lemon, all sprinkled with cinnamon, clove, and generous rye spice. The finish shows great integration of sweetness and spice, vanilla with prickly pepper, cinnamon, and ginger, all balanced superbly against the aged oak,” the magazine wrote.
“We are honored to see Elijah Craig’s first-ever Barrel Proof Rye recognized at the highest level,” Max Stefka, AVP Global Whiskey Brands for Heaven Hill, said in a news release. “To be chosen as Whisky of the Year is a proud milestone for our entire team, and we thank Whisky Advocate for the recognition and the value they provide to all whiskey fans.”
Six other Kentucky releases made the “Whisky Advocate” Top 20 whiskies of the year list:
- #3 Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025 Release bourbon, score 95, $175
- #4 New Riff Bottled in Bond Balboa Rye 2025 Release, score 95
- #6 Jefferson’s Reserve Limited Edition Cask Strength bourbon, score 95
- #11 Bardstown Bourbon Co. Collaborative Series: Ferrand II Cognac Cask Finished 2025 Release bourbon, score 94
- #15 Yellowstone 10 Year Old Limited Edition 2025 Release bourbon, score 94
- #17 Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finished bourbon, score 94
