Hirsch Selection Small Batch 8 Year High Rye Bourbon 750ML

Hirsch Selection Small Batch 8 Year High Rye Bourbon 750ML is a 92-proof (46% ABV) Indiana bourbon aged eight years, built from two distinct high-rye mashbills sourced from MGP Distillery. Earning a 93-point score from The Whiskey Reviewer and an "A" rating from Good Spirits News, this expression stands out for its unusual dual-mashbill construction — a technique that layers aggressive rye spice over a smoother, corn-forward backbone.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA  |  Age: 8 Years  |  Distillery: MGP (sourced)  |  Size: 750ML

Production & Heritage

Hirsch Selection is a sourcing and blending brand with a long history in American whiskey, known for curating barrels from established distilleries. This 8 Year High Rye expression is produced at MGP's Lawrenceburg, Indiana facility and represents a marriage of two separate mashbills: one composed of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, and another of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. That dual-mashbill approach is the defining production choice here — blending a boldly rye-forward recipe with a more traditional corn-dominant one creates layered complexity rarely achieved in a single barrel. The bourbon is aged for eight full years in barrels featuring a #4 char on the walls and a #2 char on the heads, a deliberate split-char technique that deepens caramelization while preserving grain clarity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rye spice leads immediately, followed by vanilla, butterscotch, and freshly cut oak. Underneath, quieter notes of barrel char, malt, and cherry add depth without competing for attention.

Taste: The entry explodes with rye spice — white peppercorn and toasted grain dominate the opening. Mid-palate, golden honey sweetness and crisp pear emerge, softening the attack before salted caramel, coconut, and subtle cinnamon carry through to the peak. Despite the eight years in charred oak, vanilla plays only a supporting role, keeping the grain character firmly in the spotlight.

Finish: Long, smooth, and persistently spicy, with rye never quite letting go. A smoky envelope from the deep char lingers alongside fading butterscotch and dried pear.

How to Drink Hirsch 8 Year High Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal approach — the 92-proof strength is well-calibrated, and water opens up the pear and butterscotch notes without drowning the spice. A single large ice cube also works, mellowing the peppercorn edge for a longer session pour.

• Manhattan: The assertive rye spice stands up to sweet vermouth without disappearing, adding a white pepper kick that cuts through richness.
• Boulevardier: Honey and caramel notes complement Campari's bitterness, while the high-rye backbone keeps the drink from becoming too sweet.
• Old Fashioned: The split-char barrel profile delivers enough inherent sweetness that you can dial back the sugar, letting grain and spice lead.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers who gravitate toward rye-forward profiles and want to explore MGP's blending potential
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who already owns the usual suspects and wants something less common
• Side-by-side comparative tastings against single-mashbill high-rye bourbons
• After-dinner sipping on cooler evenings when a longer, spice-driven finish is welcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hirsch 8 Year High Rye taste like? It leads with bold rye spice and white peppercorn, then transitions into golden honey, crisp pear, and salted caramel. The finish is long and grain-forward, with the rye character persisting throughout.

How does Hirsch 8 Year High Rye compare to Four Roses Small Batch? Both are high-rye bourbons built from multiple mashbills, but Hirsch leans harder into rye spice with its 36% rye recipe in the blend, while Four Roses Small Batch tends to deliver more balanced floral and fruit character. Hirsch's eight-year age statement also provides more barrel influence than Four Roses Small Batch, which carries no age statement.

Is Hirsch 8 Year High Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — at 46% ABV it sits at a comfortable proof for neat drinking, and the dual-mashbill complexity rewards slow, attentive sipping. A few drops of water can further unlock the pear and butterscotch layers.

Where is Hirsch 8 Year High Rye made? It is distilled at MGP's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, one of the most prolific bourbon and rye distilleries in the United States. Hirsch Selection sources and blends barrels from MGP, selecting specific mashbills for each expression.

What foods pair well with Hirsch 8 Year High Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches the bourbon's rye spice and char notes. Sharp aged cheddar bridges well with the salted caramel sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the toasted grain and butterscotch. Dark chocolate with sea salt amplifies the peppercorn finish. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and grainy mustard complement the high-rye backbone.

What sizes does Hirsch 8 Year High Rye come in? The standard offering is a 750ML bottle at 92 proof.

Is Hirsch 8 Year High Rye worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium bourbon — competitively placed among aged, sourced MGP expressions. The eight-year age statement and dual-mashbill construction deliver complexity that justifies its tier, particularly for drinkers who value rye-forward profiles with verifiable age.

Why Hirsch 8 Year High Rye?

The dual-mashbill marriage is what sets this bourbon apart in a crowded field of MGP-sourced releases. Rather than selecting a single recipe, Hirsch blends a 36%-rye mashbill with a 21%-rye mashbill, creating a layered spice profile that neither recipe achieves alone. The split-char barrel program — #4 on the walls, #2 on the heads — adds another deliberate variable, yielding deeper caramelization without overwhelming the grain. With a 93-point score from The Whiskey Reviewer and an eight-year age statement backing up its claims, this is a bourbon that earns its reputation through verifiable production choices rather than marketing narrative.