Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon 700ML

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon 700ML is a barrel-proof, non-chill filtered Kentucky bourbon bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV). Ranked #5 on Whisky Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2024 with a score of 94, this annual limited release also earned a Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards and Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Barrel Proof, Non-Chill Filtered  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, built this expression around a single idea: trace every ingredient back to its source. The high-rye mashbill contains roughly 35% rye—approximately three times the rye content found in Heaven Hill's other bourbon recipes—paired with locally grown Beck's 6225 non-GMO corn cultivated by Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Kentucky, with fields located just across the street from the distillery's rickhouses. Each year, Heaven Hill's master distiller works with Beck's Hybrids to select the ideal corn seed varietal for Central Kentucky's growing conditions, then bottles the resulting spirit at barrel proof without chill filtration.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramelized sugar and light vanilla arrive first, followed by sweet oak and a dusting of baking spices. A subtle floral lift—lavender and rose petal—threads through the deeper barrel tones.

Taste: The entry is rich with vanilla and caramel, building quickly into assertive rye spice and white peppercorn at mid-palate. Grilled glazed peach emerges alongside notes of almond, dark chocolate, and cinnamon. The proof carries real density without turning harsh, with flickers of orange zest and jalapeño pepper spice adding complexity at the peak.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering coffee, licorice, and rye spice that slowly dry into toasted oak. The non-chill filtered texture gives the finish an oily, coating quality that extends well beyond the final sip.

How to Drink Grain to Glass Bourbon

At barrel proof, this bourbon rewards a slow neat pour—add a few drops of water to open up the floral and fruit notes hiding behind the proof. It also stands its ground in spirit-forward cocktails:

• Old Fashioned: The caramelized sugar and rye spice need only a sugar cube and bitters to shine.
• Manhattan: The unusually high rye content gives this bourbon a natural affinity for sweet vermouth, landing closer to a rye whiskey Manhattan in structure.
• Boulevardier: At 107 proof, the spirit punches through Campari and vermouth without losing its identity.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values farm-to-bottle provenance
• Adding a limited annual release to a whiskey collection
• Side-by-side tastings comparing high-rye versus traditional bourbon mashbills
• Celebrating milestones with a critically acclaimed barrel-proof pour

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grain to Glass taste like? It leads with caramel and vanilla before a wave of rye spice, white peppercorn, and grilled peach takes over, finishing with coffee and licorice on a long, warming close.

How does Grain to Glass compare to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof? Both are barrel-proof bourbons from Heaven Hill, but Grain to Glass uses a dramatically higher rye percentage—roughly 35% versus the traditional Heaven Hill mashbill—resulting in a spicier, more peppery profile with pronounced floral notes absent in Elijah Craig Barrel Proof's richer, more oak-driven character.

Is Grain to Glass good for sipping neat? Absolutely—the non-chill filtered, barrel-proof bottling was designed for neat drinking, and a few drops of water unlock additional layers of stone fruit and floral complexity.

Where is Grain to Glass made? It is distilled and bottled at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, using non-GMO corn grown on Peterson Farms in Nelson County, just steps from the distillery's own rickhouses.

What foods pair well with Grain to Glass? Smoked brisket matches the bourbon's barrel-proof intensity; dark chocolate complements its cocoa and coffee undertones; grilled stone fruit echoes the peach notes; aged cheddar benefits from the rye spice cutting through its richness; and pecan pie mirrors the caramel and vanilla backbone.

What sizes does Grain to Glass come in? This expression is available in a 700ml bottle format.

Is Grain to Glass worth the price? As an annual limited release bottled at barrel proof with verified local sourcing and a 94-point rating from Whisky Advocate, Grain to Glass positions firmly in the premium tier and delivers complexity that competes with bourbons at higher price points.

Why Grain to Glass?

The term "grain to glass" gets tossed around loosely in American whiskey, but Heaven Hill backs it up with documented sourcing: a specific corn varietal, a named farm, and fields visible from the aging warehouses. The 35% rye mashbill sets it apart from nearly everything else in Heaven Hill's portfolio, creating a bourbon that drinks closer to a rye whiskey in its spice and structure. Whisky Advocate's 94-point score and #5 ranking on its 2024 Top 20 list confirmed what the competition circuit had already signaled with Double Gold and Gold medals. For drinkers seeking barrel-proof bourbon with genuine traceability and a distinctive high-rye fingerprint, few annual releases make a stronger case.