Heaven Hill distillery was founded in 1935, immediately after Prohibition ended in the United States in 1933, after a group of investors decided to be ready for the rebounding market. The investors including the famous Joseph L. Beam. Heaven Hill is located on a massive estate boasting 22 multi-story rick-houses across hundreds of acres of land. Now known as the Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery they have the second-largest inventory of Bourbon Whiskey in the world. It is also the only remaining family-owned distillery in Kentucky. After retiring their hallmark 6-year-old bourbon, on June 24, 2019 Heaven Hill launched this 7-year-old Bottled-in-Bond flagship bourbon. This whiskey scored 92 points and ranked #4 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 which stated This whiskey more than proves its merit. It's explosive, bold, and buttery, with warm flavors of honey-roasted peanuts, caramel, chocolate, corn muffins, licorice, and cinnamon, all accented by notes of savory herbs, cloves, white pepper, tobacco, and an earthy undertone. Well-integrated big oak, sweetness, and spice combine to create grace, power, and length. This is pure bourbon bliss, at a very approachable price (David Fleming, Whisky Advocate).

Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the first edition of the new Heaven Hill Heritage Collection celebrating the distillery’s exacting maturation standards. Each spring, this annual, highly limited release will feature some of the distillery’s oldest inventory of aging whiskey.

The Collection will feature one of the six traditional American Whiskey mashbills produced by Heaven Hill. The first edition features Heaven Hill’s Bourbon mashbill comprised of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, and bottled at a barrel proof of 118.2. With an age statement of 17 years, this release is made up of 28% 20-year-old barrels, 44% 19-year-old barrels, and 28% 17-year-old barrels pulled from Deatsville, Glencoe, Schenley, and Heaven Hill main campus warehouse locations. Each spring, the release will vary as older barrels are deemed worthy of bottling.

Maker Notes

We're proud to introduce a new collection of extra-aged, ultra-premium American Whiskeys to our portfolio. The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection exemplifies the true craftsmanship, patience and consistency that are hallmarks of our almost 90 years of whiskey-making traditions. With new editions released every spring, this collection features Straight American Whiskeys from one of our six traditional mashbills. Ages vary by release but all editions feature our oldest stocks of barrels.

The 2024 release of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is an 18-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bottled without chill filtering, this 120 proof Whiskey showcases our Bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley.

Over many years, we have been quietly aging some exquisite Whiskeys for a new series within our Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio. Of our over 2 million barrels resting across seven rickhouse sites in central Kentucky, our master craftspeople have kept watchful eyes on this limited stock.

We’ve pulled from our special stock of barrels twice before. First in 2018 for the premium, extra-aged Heaven Hill 27-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and again in 2020 for a special 85th Anniversary bottling. The success of these two releases inspired us to create the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection. With this exclusive collection, we are now able to share our oldest Whiskeys with you each year.

Tasting Notes

Color: Polished mahogany

Nose: Dried flowers and black tea; old oak and toasted almonds

Taste: Vanilla and caramel with leather and oak char; peppery spices, more caramel and a hint of orange oil

Finish: Big spices with a long, warm and dry finish