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Few distilleries embody tradition and innovation quite like Heaven Hill. Family-owned since 1935, the Shapira family has spent nearly a century shaping the landscape of American whiskey. Now, that legacy takes a bold new turn with the launch of the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Specialty Barrel Series—a groundbreaking extension of its acclaimed Grain to Glass line that redefines what it means to craft whiskey “from seed to sip.”

From Seed to Sip: The Heart of Grain to Glass 🌾

The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass program begins—literally—with a single seed. Each year, the distillery partners with Beck’s Hybrids, a family-run seed company in Indiana, to identify the perfect corn varietal for Central Kentucky soil. For 2025, that varietal is Beck’s 6225, cultivated by Peterson Farms, a multi-generational farm just across the road from Heaven Hill’s Bardstown campus.

Every kernel of corn in these whiskeys was grown, milled, distilled, aged, and bottled under Heaven Hill’s careful watch. The result? A whiskey that tells the full story of the land, the grain, and the hands that craft it.

The Chinquapin Oak Experiment 🌳

For the first time, Heaven Hill has stepped beyond traditional white oak to explore Chinquapin Oak, a lesser-known species native to Central and Eastern North America. Chinquapin Oak is prized for its high vanillin content and ability to impart notes of butterscotch, crème brûlée, roasted nut, and cocoa, creating a deeper, more complex profile than standard American oak.

This innovation forms the foundation of the Specialty Barrel Series, which features three six-year-old whiskeys aged entirely in Chinquapin Oak barrels—each hand-selected in collaboration with Independent Stave Company to achieve a perfect balance between grain and wood influence.

The 2025 Specialty Barrel Lineup 🍂

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 105 Proof

Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Rye, 13% Malted Barley
Rich, spicy, and full-bodied, this high-rye bourbon bursts with vanilla cream, toffee, and roasted pecan, finishing with dark chocolate and toasted oak. It’s an elegant nod to Heaven Hill’s classic bourbon style, elevated by the nuanced sweetness of Chinquapin Oak.

Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey – 105 Proof

Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Wheat, 13% Malted Barley
Soft and creamy, the wheated expression showcases butterscotch, honeycomb, and crème brûlée over a warm backbone of toasted oak and caramelized sugar. It’s a harmonious balance of Heaven Hill’s traditional smoothness and modern wood innovation.

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 107 Proof

Mashbill: 63% Rye, 24% Corn, 13% Malted Barley
Bold and peppery, this rye leads with dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and orange peel, unfolding into layers of caramelized spice, sweet oak, and cocoa. Bottled non-chill filtered at barrel strength, it’s the powerhouse of the collection—fiery, sophisticated, and unforgettable.

A Tribute to Legacy and Craft ✨

Each bottle in the series comes in a bespoke 700ml design, proudly embossed with “Family Owned Since 1935.” The labels are jewel-toned and color-coded to each mashbill, topped with a gold-coin cork insert and a Chinquapin Oak tax strip. Every detail, from the transparency panel listing the corn varietal and mashbill to the custom illustrations inspired by Kentucky farming, reflects Heaven Hill’s commitment to authenticity and storytelling.

Recognition and Reputation 🏆

Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass line has already earned international acclaim—Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards, Best American Rye at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, and a #5 ranking on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2024. The new Specialty Barrel Series is poised to continue that winning streak, blending innovation with heritage in a way only Heaven Hill can.

The Collector’s Perspective 🏺

With limited national allocation and a suggested retail price of $129.99, these releases won’t stay on shelves for long. Each bottle captures a distinct expression of Kentucky terroir and craftsmanship, making the 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Final Pour 🍀

In a world of endless whiskey releases, Heaven Hill’s Specialty Barrel Series stands apart—not just for what’s in the bottle, but for what it represents: a full-circle story of family, farming, and forward thinking.

From the seed that started it all to the final drop in your glass, this collection is pure Kentucky artistry—heritage distilled, perfected through oak, and poured with pride. 🥃