This is the first of two reviews, maybe three if I can find the third bottle, of a new lineup from Heaven Hill Distillery. This new lineup focuses on Heaven Hill’s dedication to family, quality partnerships, and “transparency one step further – starting with the seed.” Today’s review comes from the Heaven Hill Distillery and is the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.

Bottle Information

From the Heaven Hill Distillery website: Each year, our master distiller works with Beck’s Hybrids to select a new corn seed varietal. That corn seed varietal is proudly displayed on the label, along with the unique mashbill that is different from our traditional Rye Whiskey mashbill.

The first edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey aged for six years in rickhouse W3 on the third, fourth and fifth floors. It was bottled at barrel proof without chill filtration at 123.2 proof. The corn seed varietal chosen for this release was Beck’s 6158.

• Distiller: Distilled and Bottled by Heaven Hill Distillery
• Mash Bill: 63% Rye, 24% Corn, 13% Malt
• Proof: 123.2
• Age: 6
• Year: 2024
• MSRP: $99
• 2024 National Average: $115
• Official Website

I was not expecting to see any of these three new bottles in NoCo. However, in the first week of their release, this bottle and the bourbon were at the first stop of the day. Since then, I have only seen one additional bottle of the Straight Bourbon and have yet to see a bottle of the Wheated Bourbon Whiskey.

Overall, this is an excellent rye whiskey balanced with solid bourbon flavors from rye spice to vanilla with a sweetness of brown sugar and toasted oak. Although some might find this over-proofed, a pour of this is an excellent way to end a week. This is what I would call my new favorite rye pour. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Rye Spice, Vanilla, Dill, Brown Sugar, and Orange Clove
• Palate: Vanilla, Rye and Baking Spices, Dill, Orange, Toasted Oaks, and Lots of Brown Sugar
• Finish: Long with Notes of Warm Rye Spice and Sweet Toasted Oak
• My Rating: Drink It! (Although some might find this over-proofed, a pour of this is an excellent way to end an week!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™