Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon 750ML

Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon 750ML is a 95-proof (47.5% ABV) sour-mash bourbon produced by Stein Distillery in Joseph, Oregon, in 750ml bottles. What distinguishes this expression is its true farm-to-bottle provenance — nearly all the grain used in production is grown on the Stein family homestead, a rarity in modern American whiskey.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47.5% (95 proof)  |  Origin: Joseph, Oregon, USA  |  Small Batch Sour Mash  |  Distillery: Stein Distillery

Production & Heritage

Black Maple Hill has had two distinct chapters. Earlier releases were sourced from Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, and developed a cult following among bourbon hunters. The brand is now produced entirely at Stein Distillery in the remote Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon. The mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley follows a traditional sour-mash process, but the agricultural story is anything but typical: all grain except the corn — which is sourced from a cousin's farm in Hermiston, Oregon — is grown directly on the Stein homestead. This localized, estate-driven approach gives the distillery uncommon control over its raw materials and sets the Oregon-era bottlings apart from most bourbon on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright orange citrus and waves of corn sweetness, gradually giving way to cotton candy, honey, and brown sugar after aeration. Old oak and baked banana round out the bouquet.

Taste: The palate entry is honey-sweet and notably viscous, coating the mouth with caramel and butterscotch. At mid-palate, baking spice and a zesty rye kick temper the sweetness, while toasted oak, toffee, and subtle nutty undertones add depth. Dark fruit emerges as the proof asserts itself, though the texture remains smooth and velvety for a 95-proof bourbon.

Finish: Surprisingly mellow given the higher proof, the finish lands with resinous oak, lingering corn sweetness, and a lip-smacking quality. Spice and caramel fade slowly, leaving a warm, clean close.

How to Drink Black Maple Hill

At 47.5% ABV, this bourbon drinks well neat or with a single large ice cube that gradually opens the sweeter aromatic layers. A few drops of water can bring the honey and citrus notes forward without flattening the spice. For cocktails, the viscous sweetness and oak backbone make it a strong candidate for an Old Fashioned, where its caramel depth shines against bitters and orange peel. It also works in a Boulevardier, where its corn-forward richness stands up to Campari's bitterness. A Maple Leaf cocktail — bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup — plays directly into the brand's identity and amplifies the toffee character.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring craft and farm-to-bottle distilling
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who values provenance and story
• After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts
• Building a home bar with distinctive, conversation-starting bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Maple Hill taste like? Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon delivers a honey-sweet, viscous palate of caramel, butterscotch, and toasted oak, balanced by rye spice and a surprisingly mellow finish for a 95-proof whiskey.

How does Black Maple Hill compare to Four Roses Small Batch? Both are small-batch bourbons, but Four Roses (90 proof) blends recipes from its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery, producing a lighter, more floral profile. Black Maple Hill runs hotter at 95 proof with a heavier corn sweetness and a farm-to-bottle Oregon origin that gives it a distinctly different character and backstory.

Is Black Maple Hill good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 95 proof, the bourbon drinks smooth and velvety with enough complexity in its caramel, spice, and oak layers to reward slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Black Maple Hill made? Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon is currently distilled at Stein Distillery in Joseph, Oregon, located in the Wallowa Valley of the state's remote northeastern corner. Earlier releases were sourced from Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Black Maple Hill? Pecan pie complements the toffee and nutty undertones. Smoked pork belly mirrors the oak and caramel richness. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles draw out the baking spice. Cornbread with honey butter echoes the corn-forward profile.

What sizes does Black Maple Hill come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle at 95 proof.

Is Black Maple Hill worth the price? Black Maple Hill positions in the premium tier for small-batch bourbon, and its pricing reflects both the brand's cult reputation from its Kentucky-sourced era and the genuinely unusual farm-to-bottle production at Stein Distillery. For drinkers who value provenance and a distinctive origin story, it represents meaningful value within its category.

Why Black Maple Hill?

Very few American bourbons can claim that most of their grain is grown on the distillery's own land — Black Maple Hill's Oregon chapter makes that claim credibly. The Stein family's control over their raw materials, from field to barrel, gives this bourbon an agricultural integrity that large-scale producers cannot replicate. At 95 proof, it carries enough weight and complexity to stand alongside Kentucky benchmarks while offering a completely different sense of place. For bourbon drinkers ready to look beyond the familiar map of Bardstown and Frankfort, Black Maple Hill is a compelling reason to turn toward Oregon's Wallowa Valley.