Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Limited Edition Chinquapin Oak Bourbon 700ML

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Limited Edition Chinquapin Oak Bourbon 700ML is a 6-year-old, non-chill filtered Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 52.5% ABV (105 proof) in a 700ml format. Ranked #5 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2024 with a score of 94 points, this limited release stands apart for its full maturation in rare Chinquapin Oak barrels—a species prized for its elevated vanillin content and distinctive flavor contribution.

Quick Facts: ABV: 52.5% (105 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, is the largest independent, family-owned American whiskey producer. The Grain to Glass series traces every ingredient from field to bottle, and this expression starts with Beck's 6225 corn varietal grown by Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Kentucky, combined with a high-rye mashbill of 52% corn, 35% rye, and 13% malted barley. Distilled in 2018, the whiskey matured for six years exclusively in Chinquapin Oak barrels—a rare North American white oak species selected for its higher vanillin concentration compared to standard American white oak. The bourbon is bottled non-chill filtered to preserve the full spectrum of oils, texture, and flavor developed during aging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Butterscotch and toasted hazelnut greet the nose first, followed by warm oak and subtle wheat bread. A second pass reveals deeper layers of vanilla custard and a faint caramelized sugar sweetness drawn directly from the Chinquapin wood.

Taste: The entry is silky and full-bodied, with honeyed corn and vanilla custard leading the way. The mid-palate shifts into roasted nuts and dark chocolate, while the high-rye mashbill asserts itself with a measured, peppery spice. Soft oak tannins weave throughout, holding the sweetness and spice in balance.

Finish: Long and layered, with toffee, almond, and coffee bean emerging in successive waves. The close gradually fades into toasted oak and a gentle peppered spice that lingers well past the final sip.

How to Drink Chinquapin Oak Bourbon

Neat is the primary recommendation—the non-chill filtered, barrel-proof character rewards slow sipping and opens further with a few drops of water. A single large ice cube tames the proof slightly while preserving the rich mouthfeel.

• Old Fashioned: The pronounced butterscotch and dark chocolate character stands up to bitters and sugar without losing complexity.
• Boulevardier: The high-rye spice and toasted oak cut through sweet vermouth and Campari, adding depth to every sip.
• Whiskey Sour: The honeyed corn sweetness and full body create a rounded, dessert-like take on the classic template.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values traceable, single-source ingredients
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Chinquapin Oak aging against standard American white oak maturation
• Marking a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed limited-edition release
• Expanding a whiskey library with a barrel-proof, non-chill filtered expression from a heritage distillery

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chinquapin Oak Bourbon taste like? It leads with butterscotch, honeyed corn, and vanilla custard before shifting into dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and a measured rye spice. The finish is long and layered with toffee, almond, coffee bean, and lingering toasted oak.

How does Chinquapin Oak Bourbon compare to the standard Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon? Both expressions were distilled in 2018 from the same 52/35/13 mashbill using Beck's 6225 corn and aged at least six years. The key difference is the barrel wood—this release matures entirely in Chinquapin Oak, which imparts more pronounced butterscotch, chocolate, and toasted nut character than the American white oak used for the standard expression.

Is Chinquapin Oak Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes—at 105 proof and non-chill filtered, it delivers a rich, oily texture with layered complexity that rewards slow, undiluted sipping, though a few drops of water open additional nuance.

Where is Chinquapin Oak Bourbon made? It is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, using corn sourced from Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Kentucky, making it a fully Kentucky-sourced bourbon.

What foods pair well with Chinquapin Oak Bourbon? Dark chocolate truffles echo its cocoa and coffee notes. Pecan pie complements the toasted nut and toffee character. Smoked brisket matches the oak-driven depth, while aged Gouda mirrors its caramelized sweetness. A charcuterie board with roasted almonds and honeycomb ties into the bourbon's nutty, honeyed profile.

What sizes does Chinquapin Oak Bourbon come in? This limited edition is available in a 700ml bottle.

Is Chinquapin Oak Bourbon worth the price? As a limited-edition, barrel-proof, non-chill filtered bourbon aged in specialty wood and scored 94 points by Whisky Advocate, it positions firmly in the premium-to-ultra-premium tier and represents strong value for collectors seeking distinctive, traceable releases.

Why Chinquapin Oak Bourbon?

The defining differentiator is full maturation in Chinquapin Oak—a wood choice almost never used as the sole aging vessel for bourbon. Chinquapin Oak's higher vanillin content translates directly into the intensified butterscotch, crème brûlée, and chocolate notes that earned this expression 94 points and a Top 5 ranking on Whisky Advocate's 2024 list. The Grain to Glass program's field-to-bottle transparency, including a named corn varietal and a named farm, provides a level of traceability uncommon even among premium limited releases. For anyone seeking a bourbon where the wood tells a genuinely different story, this is one of the most compelling American whiskey releases in recent years.