2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 2nd Edition Bourbon Whiskey

A little background

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 by the Shapira family in Kentucky, is America’s largest family-owned and operated distillery, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and transparency in American whiskey production. The 2025 edition of its Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is a limited-edition, small-batch release crafted entirely in Nelson County, Kentucky, from seed to bottle, showcasing the distillery’s grain-to-glass philosophy.

2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 2nd Edition Bourbon Whiskey features a mashbill of 52% corn (Beck’s 6225 varietal), 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley, sourced from family-owned Peterson Farms in Nelson County. Aged for over six years in Heaven Hill’s Cox’s Creek rickhouse, it is non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof, 106.6 proof (53.3% ABV). Presented in 700ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $99.99, this release highlights Heaven Hill’s dedication to local sourcing and transparent production, with label artwork celebrating Kentucky’s farming and distilling traditions.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Gold

Nose

Brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, berries, toasted nuts, oak and leather.

Palate

Maple syrup, honey roasted nuts, vanilla, berries, white pepper, cinnamon, sandalwood, and a hint of stone fruit (peach).

Finish

Honey, maple, cinnamon, pepper, oak, leather, and a subtle nuttiness.

In closing

The 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is a commendable addition to the distillery’s innovative series, delivering a creamy, nutty profile with inviting brown sugar, caramel, and subtle fruit on the nose, a balanced palate of honeyed nuts and gentle spice, and a smooth, medium-to-long finish with lingering sweetness and oak. Its grain-to-glass transparency, local sourcing, and charitable tie to Farm Rescue make it highly appealing for those valuing authenticity, while the 106.6 proof sips surprisingly easy, suited for both neat drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts.

However, the $99.99 price tag feels steep for a 6+ year bourbon compared to more affordable peers like Larceny Barrel Proof, and the occasional spicy heat can overshadow its subtler notes without dilution. While not revolutionary, its limited availability and solid execution make it a worthy chase for wheated bourbon fans seeking quality and transparency.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.