Heaven Hill Distillery, a cornerstone of American whiskey since 1935, has just revealed its 19th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection, a release that’s already generating buzz among whiskey enthusiasts. Set to hit shelves in September 2025, this limited-edition Kentucky straight American whiskey is a masterful blend of three distinct mashbills, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. With only 160 barrels crafted for this release, it’s a rare gem that promises a bold, complex sip worthy of its storied legacy.
This year’s Parker’s Heritage offering is a unique combination of a 15-year-old wheated bourbon, an 11-year-old corn whiskey, and a 12-year-old two-grain whiskey made from rye and malted barley. Each component brings its own character to the blend, creating a whiskey that’s as layered as it is robust. The wheated bourbon, with a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, mirrors the recipe used in Heaven Hill’s acclaimed Old Fitzgerald and Larceny lines. Aged in Rickhouse A, it delivers the smooth, soft notes that wheat-heavy bourbons are known for. The corn whiskey, composed of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye, follows the same mashbill as Mellow Corn and was matured across Rickhouses DD, GG, and BB, adding a sweet, approachable depth. The two-grain whiskey, distilled from rye and malted barley and aged in Rickhouse Y, introduces a spicy, earthy edge to the mix.
What makes this release stand out is how these three whiskeys, aged separately for 11 to 15 years, were carefully blended to create a final product bottled at a cask strength of 122.5 proof (61.25% ABV) without chill filtration. This process preserves the whiskey’s natural flavors, ensuring a rich, unfiltered experience that highlights the distinct qualities of each mashbill. The bottle carries an 11-year age statement, reflecting the youngest whiskey in the blend, but the interplay of older components promises a depth that’s sure to captivate seasoned palates.
The Parker’s Heritage Collection, launched in 2007, has become a hallmark of Heaven Hill’s experimental spirit. Each fall, the distillery releases a new expression that pushes the boundaries of American whiskey, from unique mashbills to innovative aging techniques. Past editions have included standout releases like wheat whiskey aged in heavily charred barrels, double-barreled bourbon, cask-strength rye, a 24-year-old bottled-in-bond bourbon, and a malt whiskey finished in heavy-toast Cognac barrels. In contrast, Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection, which focuses on single-mashbill whiskeys aged 15 years or more, saw its 2025 release as a 19-year-old wheat whiskey. The Parker’s Heritage line, however, thrives on bold experimentation, and this year’s three-mashbill blend is no exception.
Named in honor of Parker Beam, Heaven Hill’s late master distiller who shaped the distillery’s legacy from the 1960s until his passing in 2017, the collection carries deep meaning. Beam, a towering figure in American whiskey, was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. Since 2013, Heaven Hill has donated a portion of the proceeds from each Parker’s Heritage bottle to ALS research and patient care, raising over $1.4 million to date. This commitment adds a layer of purpose to the collection, making each sip a tribute to Beam’s enduring influence and a cause that resonates deeply.
Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll, who now carries the torch, emphasized the significance of this release. “With each Parker’s Heritage Collection, we honor Parker Beam’s legacy by pushing the boundaries of American whiskey,” he said. “This 19th edition celebrates innovation and craftsmanship, bringing together three mashbills and age statements to create a complex, bold whiskey that truly stands out.” The blend of 160 barrels, drawn from multiple rickhouses, reflects the distillery’s meticulous approach to blending, ensuring a balance of flavors that’s both powerful and refined.
Priced at a suggested retail of $179.99, this whiskey is a highly allocated release, meaning it will be tough to find when it hits the U.S. and select international markets in September 2025. For collectors and enthusiasts, the secondary market often sees prices soar well above $500, cementing its status as a “unicorn” whiskey. While Heaven Hill didn’t provide tasting notes, the combination of wheated bourbon, corn whiskey, and rye-malt whiskey suggests a profile that balances sweetness, spice, and depth—a whiskey that invites slow sipping and careful appreciation.
Heaven Hill, still family-owned and based in Kentucky, continues to solidify its place as one of America’s leading whiskey producers. With its Bernheim Distillery in Louisville capable of producing 450,000 barrels annually and a new facility, Heaven Hill Springs in Bardstown, adding another 150,000 barrels, the distillery is poised for even greater influence. Yet, the Parker’s Heritage Collection remains a testament to its roots, blending tradition with bold innovation.
For those eager to explore Heaven Hill’s portfolio while waiting for this release, brands like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, and Larceny offer accessible, high-quality options available through retailers like ReserveBar. But for those chasing the rare and remarkable, the 19th edition of Parker’s Heritage is a whiskey worth seeking out—a fitting tribute to a legend and a bold step forward in American whiskey craftsmanship.
