In the rolling hills of Kentucky, where bourbon runs deep in the veins of the land, Heaven Hill Distillery is rolling out something special for 2025. It's their latest take on the Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, a limited-edition bottle that's all about getting back to basics—real farming, careful crafting, and no shortcuts. This isn't just another whiskey; it's a nod to the old ways, made entirely from local grains grown right there in Nelson County, showing off what happens when a family-run operation sticks to its roots.
Heaven Hill, started back in 1935 by the Shapira family, has always been about keeping things independent and true to Kentucky's whiskey heritage. They're the biggest family-owned distillery in America, with over two million barrels aging away in more than 70 warehouses spread across Nelson and Jefferson Counties. This new release fits right into their lineup of heavy hitters like Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, and Henry McKenna. But what sets the Grain to Glass series apart is the full story it tells—from planting the seeds to pouring the drink.
For this 2025 edition, they've tweaked the recipe a bit to highlight the grains. The mashbill breaks down to 52 percent corn, 35 percent wheat, and 13 percent malted barley. That's more wheat than their usual wheated bourbon setup, which gives it a smoother edge. The corn comes from a specific type called Beck’s 6225, planted and harvested by the folks at Peterson Farms, a family operation right in Nelson County. They picked two spots for growing, making sure every kernel ties back to the local soil. It's that kind of detail that shows Heaven Hill's push for transparency—no mystery ingredients here, just straightforward Kentucky farming.
Once distilled at their Bernheim Distillery, the bourbon spends more than six years maturing in the rickhouses at Cox’s Creek. They don't chill-filter it, which keeps all the natural flavors intact, and it's bottled straight from the barrel at 106.6 proof, or about 53.3 percent alcohol by volume. That means you're getting the real deal, with nothing watered down or stripped away.
Pour a glass, and you'll see why it's worth the wait. The color is a deep, burnished copper that catches the light just right, like an old penny polished up. Take a sniff, and you're hit with notes of caramelized sugar, a hint of vanilla, and that sweet oak from the barrels. On the tongue, it's all about balance—vanilla and caramel mix with subtle flowers like lavender and rose petals, creating a mouthfeel that's soft and creamy, almost like velvet. The finish sticks around, bringing in toasted nuts, a touch of leather, and some coffee undertones that leave you thinking about the next sip.
Conor O’Driscoll, the master distiller at Heaven Hill, puts it best: "This wheated bourbon isn't just about tradition; it's about showing every step of the way. From picking that Beck’s 6225 corn to bottling it at full strength, we're letting folks see exactly how we make something great. It's for the guys who appreciate the real story behind their whiskey."
The bottle itself tells part of that story. The label features hand-drawn images of the Bernheim Distillery and scenes from the farms that keep Kentucky's whiskey world turning. It lists out the corn type, the mashbill breakdown, how it was distilled, and the year—everything you need to know at a glance. At 700 milliliters, it's priced around $99.99 suggested retail, and it'll be hitting shelves across the country. Plus, buying one helps support Farm Rescue, an outfit that's been helping farm families through tough times for 20 years now.
This isn't Heaven Hill's first rodeo with the Grain to Glass line. Last year's 2024 version picked up some serious hardware—a Best of Class finalist spot at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Gold from the Spirits International Prestige Awards. It's proof that their approach pays off, blending old-school methods with a fresh eye for detail.
Looking back, Heaven Hill's story is one of sticking it out through the years. Founded during tough times, they've built a reputation for quality without selling out. In recent years, they've racked up awards left and right—named Distiller of the Year eight times in the last five, including back-to-back wins from Whisky Magazine in 2023 and 2024. They also grabbed the Most Awarded Distillery title at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for 2024 and 2025, and snagged the 2023 Icons of Whisky award for World's Best Small Batch Bourbon.
For anyone who's spent time around a fire pit with a good pour, or collected bottles that remind them of road trips through bourbon country, this 2025 release is a keeper. It's not flashy; it's solid, honest work in a glass. Heaven Hill keeps proving why Kentucky bourbon holds its place as America's spirit—through family, land, and a commitment to doing it right. If you're chasing that perfect dram, this one's got the heart of the Bluegrass State bottled up tight.
