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

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Limited Edition Chinquapin Oak Wheated Bourbon 700ML is a 6-year, 52.5% ABV (105 proof) Kentucky straight wheated bourbon matured entirely in rare Chinquapin oak barrels. This limited edition expression earned a Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards and Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, establishing it as one of the most decorated releases in Heaven Hill's experimental Grain to Glass series.

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 distillery in the United States. The Grain to Glass program represents a fully vertically integrated process—distilled, matured, and bottled on site—designed to highlight experimental barrel and grain programs beyond the core lineup. This expression uses a wheated mashbill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley, fully aged for six years in barrels made from Chinquapin oak, a distinct species of American white oak native to Central and Eastern North America. Chinquapin oak is prized for its higher vanillin content compared to standard white oak, contributing deeper butterscotch, crème brûlée, and toasted nut character to the spirit. The bourbon is bottled non-chill filtered at 105 proof, preserving the full body and texture imparted by the wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Butterscotch and vanilla bean lead, followed by honeyed wheat bread, toasted hazelnut, and a bright lift of orange oil. Warm toasted oak integrates the aromatics with a subtle baking spice undertone.

Taste: The entry is rich and creamy, with caramel and vanilla layering into dark chocolate and roasted nut at mid-palate. A gentle rye-like spice emerges alongside soft oak tannins and caramelized sugar. The non-chill-filtered texture delivers a mouth-coating richness that carries the flavors across the full palate.

Finish: Long and elegant, with toasted oak, hazelnut, and a slow fade of peppered wheat spice. A gentle oak sweetness lingers well after the final sip.

How to Drink Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak

Neat is the ideal starting point—at 105 proof, this bourbon has enough structure to stand without dilution, though a few drops of water coax out the butterscotch and chocolate notes further. On the rocks, the creaminess intensifies as gradual dilution softens the tannins.

In an Old Fashioned, the natural vanilla and caramel depth pair seamlessly with bitters and a citrus peel. A Boulevardier benefits from the dark chocolate and toasted nut complexity, which balances Campari's bitterness. A Whiskey Sour gains real body and a honeyed sweetness from the wheated mashbill and full-proof bottling.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon collector drawn to limited edition or experimental releases
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Chinquapin oak influence against standard white oak expressions
• Adding a rare, award-winning expression to a home bourbon library
• Celebrating a milestone with a distinctive, small-batch Kentucky pour

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak taste like? It delivers rich caramel, dark chocolate, and roasted nut flavors underpinned by a creamy, full-bodied texture from non-chill-filtered bottling at 105 proof. The Chinquapin oak aging adds distinctive butterscotch and toasted hazelnut character throughout.

How does Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak compare to Larceny Barrel Proof? Both are wheated bourbons produced by Heaven Hill, but Larceny Barrel Proof uses standard American white oak barrels and is released at varying barrel-proof strengths typically above 120 proof. The Chinquapin Oak expression is bottled at a fixed 105 proof and derives its distinct butterscotch and crème brûlée character from the higher vanillin content of Chinquapin oak, resulting in a noticeably different wood influence.

Is Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak good for sipping neat? Yes—its 105 proof provides enough intensity to hold attention without overwhelming heat, and the non-chill-filtered bottling preserves oils and texture that reward slow sipping.

Where is Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak made? It is distilled, matured, and bottled entirely at the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country in Nelson County.

What foods pair well with Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and butterscotch notes; smoked brisket stands up to the 105-proof intensity; aged Gouda mirrors the caramelized sweetness; pecan pie echoes the toasted nut character; and charcuterie with honeycomb ties into the honeyed wheat bread aromas.

What sizes does Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak come in? This limited edition expression is released in a 700ml bottle.

Is Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak worth the price? It positions as a premium limited edition within Heaven Hill's portfolio, justified by its experimental Chinquapin oak maturation, non-chill-filtered bottling, and strong competition credentials including a Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards and Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards.

Why Grain to Glass Chinquapin Oak?

The defining feature here is the barrel wood itself. Full maturation in Chinquapin oak—a species chosen specifically for its higher vanillin content—creates a flavor profile that standard American white oak simply cannot replicate, delivering deeper butterscotch, crème brûlée, and toasted nut dimensions across the palate. Backed by a Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards and Gold at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, this is not an experimental curiosity that trades on novelty alone—it earned serious recognition in blind competition. At 6 years old, non-chill filtered, and bottled at a focused 105 proof, it represents a rare intersection of limited production, genuine innovation, and proven quality from one of Kentucky's most established distilleries.