Trybox New Make Bourbon Whiskey 750ML

Trybox New Make Bourbon Whiskey 750ML is an unaged, 125-proof (62.5% ABV) white whiskey distilled by Heaven Hill in Bardstown, Kentucky. Drawn directly from the still using the same mashbill behind Evan Williams and Elijah Craig, this expression strips away the influence of oak to reveal the raw character of Heaven Hill's grain recipe — one built on a high corn percentage and one of the highest proportions of malted barley in the American whiskey industry.

Quick Facts: ABV: 62.5% (125 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  Unaged New Make  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distilleries, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, stands as the largest independent, family-owned American whiskey producer. The distillery is notable for being the only American whiskey producer that distills bourbon, rye, corn, and wheat whiskeys under one roof. The Trybox name references the copper and glass contraption — called a trybox — that distillers use to taste-test new make spirit as it flows off the still, a quality-control step that has been part of the craft for centuries. This expression uses the exact same high-corn, high-malted-barley mashbill that goes into Heaven Hill's aged bourbons, but it bypasses barrel maturation entirely, giving drinkers a transparent look at the distillate before oak does its work.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright lime and pine open the nose, landing somewhere between tequila and gin territory. Underneath, freshly mowed grass, black pepper, and dried orange rind add complexity, while sweet corn and raw grain anchor the profile.

Taste: The entry is brisk and citrus-driven, less sweet than expected at this proof, with a character often compared to blanco tequila. Mid-palate, the high malted barley content pushes forward with cereal-grain richness and a peppery bite. The texture is remarkably oily, coating the palate with a squeaky-clean, almost viscous mouthfeel that belies its clear appearance.

Finish: Lingering dried citrus peel — especially lime — merges with black pepper, malted grain, and a light buttery note. The finish is medium-long and surprisingly layered for an unaged spirit, with the grain sweetness gradually yielding to dry, peppery warmth.

How to Drink Trybox New Make

Sipping neat in a Glencairn glass at room temperature is the purest way to evaluate the distillate, though a few drops of water help tame the 125-proof heat and open up the citrus aromatics. The high proof and oily texture also make it a powerful cocktail base. A White Manhattan built with dry vermouth and orange bitters lets the grain character shine. A Mule variation using ginger beer and fresh lime plays directly into the spirit's natural citrus-pepper profile. A Paloma riff substituting Trybox for tequila with grapefruit soda exploits the blanco-like qualities multiple tasters have noted.

Best For

• Whiskey enthusiasts who want to taste bourbon's DNA before barrel aging
• Home bartenders experimenting with high-proof, clear American spirits in cocktails
• Bourbon club tastings exploring the relationship between distillate and finished product
• Gifting to a spirits geek who already owns every aged expression on the shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Trybox New Make taste like? Trybox New Make delivers bright citrus — especially lime — alongside black pepper, malted grain, and a light buttery sweetness, with an oily, full-bodied texture that is surprisingly complex for an unaged spirit.

How does Trybox New Make compare to Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1? Reviewers who have tasted both side by side consider Trybox noticeably more complex and nuanced, whereas Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 tends toward a more one-dimensional grain-forward profile. The difference is partly attributed to Heaven Hill's distinctive high-malted-barley mashbill, which adds layers of cereal richness and pepper that the Buffalo Trace expression lacks.

Is Trybox New Make good for sipping neat? It can be sipped neat, but at 125 proof it carries significant heat; adding a splash of water opens up the citrus and grain notes and makes the experience more approachable for most palates.

Where is Trybox New Make made? Trybox New Make is produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown, Kentucky, a town often called the "Bourbon Capital of the World" and home to multiple major distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

What foods pair well with Trybox New Make? Fresh ceviche mirrors the spirit's lime-forward, tequila-like qualities. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complements the buttery grain notes. Spiced charcuterie echoes the black pepper on the finish. Grilled corn on the cob plays off the high-corn mashbill, and key lime pie creates a dessert pairing that rides the citrus thread from start to finish.

What sizes does Trybox New Make come in? The standard available size is a 750ml bottle.

Is Trybox New Make worth the price? Trybox New Make positions as a specialty or educational expression rather than an everyday sipper; its value lies in the rare opportunity to taste Heaven Hill's acclaimed bourbon mashbill in its raw, unaged state, making it a worthwhile addition for serious whiskey students and adventurous cocktail enthusiasts.

Why Trybox New Make?

What sets this spirit apart is total transparency — it is the exact same distillate that, after years in charred oak, becomes Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. No other major producer offers such direct access to a mashbill of this pedigree in unaged form. Heaven Hill's status as the only American distillery producing bourbon, rye, corn, and wheat whiskeys under one roof means their distilling expertise is unusually broad, and the Trybox series is their way of proving the quality begins before the barrel. For anyone curious about what bourbon truly tastes like at birth, this 125-proof expression answers that question with uncommon clarity and complexity.