In the rolling hills of Nelson County, Kentucky, a unique bourbon is born from the hands of family farmers and the vision of a distillery that’s been crafting whiskey for nearly 90 years. Heaven Hill Distillery, a family-owned gem in the heart of bourbon country, has released its 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This second edition isn’t just a drink—it’s a celebration of the land, the people who work it, and a commitment to keeping family farms thriving. With every sip, this bourbon tells a story of tradition, innovation, and community.
A Bourbon Rooted in Kentucky Soil
The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass project is special because it starts with the very seeds planted in Kentucky’s rich soil. For the 2025 release, Heaven Hill partnered with Beck’s Hybrids, a family-owned seed company, to select a corn varietal called Beck’s 6225. This specific type of corn was chosen because it thrives in Central Kentucky’s unique climate and terrain. The corn was grown by Peterson Farms, a family-owned operation in Nelson County, on one of two carefully selected sites. This isn’t just any corn—it’s the foundation of a bourbon that carries the essence of the place it comes from.
The 2025 Grain to Glass bourbon is made with a mashbill of 52% corn, 35% rye, and 13% malted barley. This recipe stands out because it has more rye and malt than Heaven Hill’s traditional bourbon, giving it a bold and distinctive flavor. Distilled in 2018, the whiskey was barreled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV) and aged for six years in rickhouses W5 and W6, on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of Heaven Hill’s Cox’s Creek site. The result is a barrel-strength bourbon bottled at 105 proof (52.5% ABV) without chill filtration, preserving every nuance of its character.
What Does It Taste Like?
When you pour a glass of the 2025 Grain to Glass bourbon, the first thing you notice is the aroma. It’s like walking into a cozy kitchen where toasted pecans and peanuts mingle with the warm scent of oak. Take a sip, and the flavors unfold like a dessert table at a family gathering: butterscotch, caramel, and a hint of apple pie spiced with cardamom. The texture is rich and thick, coating your mouth with every sip. As it lingers, the finish brings notes of vanilla ice cream melting over warm apple pie, followed by a kick of rye and ginger that keeps things lively.
This bourbon isn’t just about taste—it’s about feeling connected to the land and the people who made it. Every bottle reflects the care that went into growing the corn, distilling the spirit, and aging it to perfection.
Family Farms First: A Mission Beyond the Bottle
What makes this release even more meaningful is Heaven Hill’s new Family Farms First initiative, launched alongside the 2025 Grain to Glass bourbon. This program shows the distillery’s deep respect for the family farmers who grow the grains that make their whiskey possible. Heaven Hill, a family-owned business since 1935, knows what it takes to keep a family legacy alive, and they’re committed to helping other families do the same.
Through Family Farms First, Heaven Hill has partnered with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit that helps family farmers facing tough times, like injuries, natural disasters, or other hardships. Since 2005, Farm Rescue has supported over 1,000 farm families across eight states by providing free help with planting, harvesting, hauling crops, and feeding livestock. With 97% of U.S. farms being family-owned, this work is critical to keeping rural communities strong.
Heaven Hill is donating a portion of every Grain to Glass bottle sale—up to $100,000 each year—to Farm Rescue. This means that when you buy a bottle, you’re not just getting a great bourbon; you’re helping a farmer keep their land and livelihood. Max Shapira, Heaven Hill’s Executive Chairman, put it best: “Family farms are the lifeblood of our country.” This initiative is a way to honor that truth and make a real difference.
A Legacy of Quality and Care
Heaven Hill Distillery has been a cornerstone of American whiskey for nearly nine decades. Founded by the Shapira family in 1935, it’s now the largest family-owned distillery in the U.S., with over 2 million barrels aging in nearly 70 warehouses across Nelson and Jefferson Counties. Their portfolio includes beloved brands like Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Larceny, and they’ve earned accolades like Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
The Grain to Glass project, which began in 2017, is a testament to Heaven Hill’s willingness to push boundaries while staying true to their roots. By working closely with local farmers and seed experts, they’ve created a bourbon that’s as innovative as it is traditional. The 2025 release, priced at $99.99 for a 700 mL bottle, is a small-batch offering that’s sure to be a hit with bourbon lovers and collectors alike.
Why This Bourbon Matters
The 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is more than just a drink—it’s a bridge between the past and the future. It honors the farmers who have worked the land for generations and supports those who will carry that legacy forward. It’s a reminder that every bottle of bourbon starts with a seed, a family, and a dream.
For anyone who loves bourbon, this release is a chance to taste something truly special while supporting a cause that matters. Whether you’re sipping it neat, sharing it with friends, or adding it to your collection, this bourbon carries the heart of Kentucky in every drop. As Heaven Hill approaches its 90th anniversary in December 2025, the Grain to Glass bourbon and Family Farms First initiative show that their commitment to quality and community is stronger than ever.
To learn more about this bourbon and the Family Farms First initiative, visit heavenhilldistillery.com/grain-to-glass. For more on how Farm Rescue is helping farmers, check out farmrescue.org. And when you raise a glass of this bourbon, know that you’re toasting to the families who make it all possible.
