Heaven Hill Distillery marks a big moment this year. The company, started back in 1935, hits its 90th anniversary. To celebrate, they put out a special bourbon that's got folks talking. It's called Heaven Hill Distillery’s 90th Anniversary 9 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This isn't just any bottle off the shelf. It's a limited run that pulls together years of know-how from a family that's been in the game since the start.
Think about what 90 years means in the whiskey world. Heaven Hill stands out as the biggest independent, family-owned outfit making distilled spirits in the country. The Shapira family kicked things off right after Prohibition ended. They built something that lasts, focusing on straight-up bourbon made the right way. No shortcuts, just corn, barley, rye, and time in the barrel. That tradition runs deep, and this new release shows it off in a bottle you can hold.
The bourbon itself comes from a careful mix. Seventy percent is straight Kentucky bourbon whiskey. The other thirty percent? That's bourbon aged in heavy char barrels. Both parts start with the same mashbill Heaven Hill has used for ages: 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 10 percent rye. That recipe gives the classic sweet corn base with a bit of spice from the rye and smoothness from the barley. It's the foundation for everything they do.
What makes this one stand out is the story behind the barrels. Every single one of the 204 selected got distilled on December 13, 2015. That date mattered because it was Heaven Hill's 80th anniversary. They let it age for nine years and eight months in two specific rickhouses, G and H. The barrels sat on the fourth and sixth floors. Places like that in a warehouse make a difference. Heat rises, cooler spots vary, and over time, the wood works its magic differently floor by floor.
They bottle it at 107 proof, which is 53.5 percent alcohol by volume. No chill filtering here. That means they leave it as is, keeping all the oils and flavors that can get stripped out in colder processes. The result? A whiskey that's got body and stays true to what's in the barrel.
Taste-wise, it's built for depth. Those heavy char barrels play a big role. Charring the inside of the oak harder pulls out more from the wood. You get rich caramel notes, vanilla that lingers, toasted spices kicking in, and a warm oak finish that wraps it up. It's smooth but complex, the kind of pour that rewards a slow sip by the fire or with a good cigar after a long day.
Max L. Shapira, the executive chairman at Heaven Hill, puts it well. “As we celebrate Heaven Hill’s 90th anniversary, I’m reminded of the vision my father and his brothers had when they founded this company in 1935,” Max L. Shapira, Heaven Hill Executive Chairman, said in a news release. “Their goal was simple but profound, to build a family business that would craft whiskey with integrity, patience, and pride. Nine decades later, we continue that mission with the same independent spirit, passion for quality, and respect for tradition that has guided us from the start. This 90th Anniversary release is both a reflection of our history and a toast to our future.”
Family ties run through the whole operation. The Shapiras have kept control, steering clear of big corporate buyouts that swallow up so many distilleries. That independence lets them stick to what works. They age over two million barrels across more than 70 warehouses in Nelson and Jefferson Counties. Walking those sites, you see rows of rickhouses holding whiskey that's been resting for years, some decades.
Conor O’Driscoll, the master distiller, knows the barrels inside out. He led the selection for this release. “This release is particularly special because it captures nearly a decade of patient aging and our team’s thoughtful approach to barrel selection,” Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery, said. “By incorporating Bourbon aged in heavy char barrels, we’ve deepened the flavor profile and created a whiskey with exceptional richness and balance. The result is a spirit that embodies the craftsmanship and character that have defined Heaven Hill for 90 years.”
Patient aging—that's the key. Nine years and eight months isn't rushed. In a world where some push out younger stuff to meet demand, Heaven Hill waits. Those heavy char barrels add layers. The char acts like a filter but also infuses bold flavors. Caramel from the sugars in the wood caramelizing, vanilla from the oak's natural compounds, spices from the toast, and that oak warmth tying it together.
This bourbon honors more than just time. It nods to innovation within tradition. Blending standard aged bourbon with the heavy char stuff creates balance. The regular barrels bring classic notes, while the charred ones amp up the richness. At 107 proof, it's got enough kick to stand up in a cocktail but shines neat or with a splash of water.
Availability starts in October 2025. It's nationwide but limited—only those 204 barrels. Suggested retail sits at $124.99. For a nine-year-plus expression from a name like Heaven Hill, that's a solid value if you can track it down. Stores will move it quick, so keeping an eye out pays off.
Heaven Hill's roots go back to Bardstown, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country. The Shapiras saw opportunity post-Prohibition and jumped in. They started small but grew smart. Today, they produce a range of whiskeys, but bourbon remains the core. This anniversary bottle pulls from that legacy while looking ahead.
Collecting bottles like this has its appeal. A limited release tied to a milestone, with exact distill date and aging details—it's got story. Shelf it or share it with friends; either way, it represents a piece of American whiskey history.
The distillery keeps evolving too. They have projects like a Grain to Glass series exploring new barrels. But the 90th anniversary bourbon stays grounded in what built the brand. It's Kentucky straight bourbon through and through.
Pour a glass and you taste the care. Nose it first: caramel and vanilla lead, with rye spice peeking through. Sip slow—the proof warms without burning. Mid-palate brings toasted notes, then oak on the finish. Non-chill filtered means a fuller mouthfeel, almost oily in a good way.
For anyone who appreciates a well-made bourbon, this hits the spot. It's not overly sweet or harsh. Balance comes from the mashbill, the aging spots, the char levels. Nine years lets flavors meld.
Heaven Hill proves family ownership matters. No pressure from shareholders to cut corners. They select barrels based on taste, not timelines. This release shows that approach in action.
If you're building a bar or just enjoy a solid dram, consider hunting this down. At under 125 bucks for a special nine-year, it's a nod to value in a market full of high-end pours.
The Shapira vision from 1935 lives on. Integrity, patience, pride—those words aren't just talk. This bourbon backs them up. From the distill date on the 80th to bottling for the 90th, it's a decade bridged in oak.
Whiskey like this reminds you why Kentucky leads the pack. Corn fields, limestone water, seasoned rickhouses—it all adds up. Heaven Hill safeguards that.
As the company toasts 90 years, this bottle raises a glass right back. Here's to the next chapter, built on the same ground.
