Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Bourbon Chinquapin Speciality Barrel 2025 Limited Edition 700mL

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon “Chinquapin Specialty Barrel” 2025 Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 52% ABV (105 Proof) | 700 mL | Bardstown, Kentucky | Aged in Chinquapin Oak Barrels

Process & Profile

The 2025 release of Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Bourbon launches the brand’s Specialty Barrel series, wherein each expression is matured exclusively in a unique oak type—in this case, Chinquapin Oak. This special American white oak species is chosen for its higher vanillin content and richer sweet and nutty character. The bourbon is made from a mashbill of 52 % corn, 35 % rye, and 13 % malted barley, using corn seed varietal Beck’s 6225 grown in Kentucky. Barreled at 107 proof and fully aged in Chinquapin Oak for six years, the spirit is bottled non-chill filtered at 105 proof, highlighting both the grain foundation and the influence of the rare oak. 

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Butterscotch and toasted hazelnut, warm oak spice and crème brûlée. 

• Palate: Rich profile of roasted nut, honeyed cereal, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate layered with peppered rye spice. 

• Finish: Long and refined with toasted oak, coffee-drifted sweetness, and gentle spice in the fade.

What Makes It Special

• First release of the Specialty Barrel series from Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass line, emphasizing transparency from seed to glass. 

• Fully matured in Chinquapin Oak barrels, a less commonly used oak species in bourbon aging, delivering enhanced vanillin sweetness and nutty depth.

• Bottled at 105 proof (52 % ABV), capturing the character of the whiskey without over-dilution.

• Uses the corn varietal Beck’s 6225, grown locally by family-owned farms as part of the Grain to Glass initiative’s transparency ethos. 

• Limited allocated release, reflecting both craft and innovation from an established family-owned distillery. 

How to Enjoy

Pour neat into a tulip or Glencairn glass to fully capture the aroma of butterscotch and toasted nut. For deeper exploration, add a few drops of water to release secondary notes like coffee and spice. Great for sipping alongside hazelnut chocolate, pecan pie, or alongside a conversation in a quiet setting. The proof and barrel choice make this a contemplative pour rather than a quick serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon “Chinquapin Specialty Barrel” 2025?
   It’s the first edition in Heaven Hill’s Specialty Barrel sub-series: a Kentucky straight bourbon fully aged in Chinquapin Oak barrels, part of the Grain to Glass initiative.

2. What is the alcohol content?
   52 % ABV (105 proof).

3. What makes Chinquapin Oak special?
   Chinquapin Oak is a species of American white oak known for elevated vanillin and richer sweet-nut flavors, making it an atypical but high-impact barrel choice.

4. How long was it aged?
   It was matured for six years in Chinquapin Oak barrels. 

5. Where is it produced?
   At Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, as part of their Grain to Glass series which starts with corn seed selection, farming, distillation, and aging.