BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Heaven Hill Distillery
• MASH BILL: 63% Rye | 23% Corn | 14% Malted Barley
• AGE: Not stated; reportedly six years old
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 123.2
• MSRP: $99
• BUY ONLINE: Buy Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye

Drew’s NOTES

SHARE WITH: Heaven Hill fans, of course. Rye whiskey fans, especially those who gravitate away from the sweeter Kentucky-style rye.

WORTH THE PRICE: A crisp Benjamin is no small ask for a bottle of middle-aged rye whiskey. But, as I’ve said multiple times now, this is more than just an age statement and a proof point. It’s another totally unique offering from a giant of the industry that isn’t known for shaking things up in their portfolio. Rye lovers, in particular, will find value in a rare glimpse at how Heaven Hill manages a higher rye style of rye whiskey.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. While this is the least grain-to-glassy of the trio (with the least amount of Beck’s 6158 corn in the recipe), the quality of the final product and the uniqueness of the recipe make it a worthy addition to the home bar. A conversation bottle, to be sure.

OVERALL: Willett, Old Forester, Castle & Key (and probably others I’m forgetting) have already started moving away from the classic Kentucky rye style, which typically uses the most corn legally allowed (up to 49%) to ensure optimum sweetness. Now Heaven Hill is joining in with its new take on Kentucky rye, a big departure from Rittenhouse or Pikesville.

The aroma is subdued for cask strength with grassy notes of pine needle, eucalyptus, and chocolate mint. As it opens, more of the barrel comes into play with a touch of baking spice and chocolate, but it almost seems to get brighter and more crisp. The palate starts with a bracing freshness, a gale-force gust of wintergreen and menthol that turns to toffee and dark caramels on the mid-palate but never strays far from its minty foundation. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of spice at work here, but outside of the initial kick, things are mostly soothing and warm, simmering well into a finish of clove-studded orange, dry oak, and green tea.

This is probably the most unique offering in the Grain to Glass lineup, not least because it’s the only true cask strength expression. At this proof, it won’t be an everyday sipper (for most), but on those special occasions when you bring it off the shelf, it’s sure to impress rye lovers and start a fun conversation.

BRAND NOTES

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.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale mahogany
• Aroma: Dried flowers and grasses, toasted oak
• Taste: Big butterscotch and caramel notes with dense, complex spices and a touch of cigar tobacco
• Finish: The spiciness continues to build with a big cinnamon note. Charred oak with a hint of campfire smoke at the last

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.