Trybox New Make Corn Whiskey 750ML

Trybox New Make Corn Whiskey 750ML is an unaged corn whiskey bottled at a robust 62.5% ABV (125 proof) in a 750ml bottle by Heaven Hill Distilleries. This expression captures the raw spirit straight off the still — the same distillate that, once aged, becomes Mellow Corn Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey — offering a rare, unfiltered look at Heaven Hill's corn-heavy mashbill before oak ever touches it.

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

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distilleries, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, is one of the largest family-owned and operated spirits producers in the United States. The name "Trybox" refers to the copper and glass tasting station at the distillery where freshly distilled spirit flows directly off the still — a critical checkpoint where distillers evaluate the quality of their new make before it enters barrels. This expression is bottled at the full traditional barrel entry proof of 125 (62.5% ABV), meaning drinkers experience the distillate at the exact strength it would enter a charred oak barrel. The mashbill is corn-dominant, meeting the legal requirement of at least 80% corn for classification as corn whiskey, and is believed to mirror the recipe used for Mellow Corn.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet creamed corn dominates the nose immediately, followed by raw grain and subtle spice. Despite the high proof, the aroma is not excessively hot, instead leaning into earthy, cereal-forward territory.

Taste: The palate opens with a wave of pure corn sweetness that quickly transitions into heavier grain and starchy, almost porridge-like textures at mid-palate. Earthy undertones ground the sweetness, and the full 125-proof strength delivers a bold, viscous mouthfeel that coats the tongue without becoming unmanageable.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with a distinctive funky, almost petrol-laced character that distinguishes it from typical aged whiskeys. Lingering notes of raw grain and dry earthiness fade slowly, leaving a clean but assertive impression.

How to Drink Trybox New Make

A splash of water is highly recommended to open up the aromatics and tame the 125-proof intensity; tasting neat at full strength rewards experienced palates but can overwhelm. This new make expression truly shines in cocktails where its bold corn character can anchor and define the drink. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the raw sweetness balancing citrus. A Corn & Oil riff (substituting for overproof rum) creates a fascinating grain-forward variation. A Highball with quality ginger ale or tonic tames the proof while letting the corn and earthy funk shine through.

Best For

• Whiskey enthusiasts curious about what spirit tastes like before barrel aging
• Home cocktail experimentation with a high-proof, characterful base spirit
• Side-by-side tasting with Mellow Corn to explore what oak aging adds to whiskey
• Distillery and production geeks who want to understand the corn whiskey process from still to bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Trybox New Make taste like? Trybox New Make delivers bold, sweet creamed corn on the palate with earthy, grain-heavy undertones and a funky, slightly petrol-tinged finish. The 125-proof strength creates a full, viscous mouthfeel that carries raw distillate character throughout.

How does Trybox New Make compare to Mellow Corn? Mellow Corn is the aged expression made from the same Heaven Hill corn-heavy mashbill, matured in used barrels to qualify as a Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey, which adds vanilla, caramel, and woodsy notes absent in the unaged Trybox. Trybox New Make, by contrast, showcases the pure distillate at barrel entry proof without any oak influence, making it rawer, earthier, and significantly higher in proof than the 50% ABV Mellow Corn.

Is Trybox New Make good for cocktails? Yes — at 125 proof with a bold corn-forward profile, Trybox New Make performs exceptionally well in cocktails where its intensity can stand up to mixers, citrus, and syrups without getting lost. Many reviewers consider mixed drinks the ideal application for this spirit.

Where is Trybox New Make made? Trybox New Make Corn Whiskey is produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the historic centers of American whiskey production. Heaven Hill has operated in Bardstown since its founding in 1935.

What foods pair well with Trybox New Make? Fresh cornbread or corn fritters echo and amplify the spirit's dominant grain character. Grilled pork with a sweet glaze complements the corn sweetness. Sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the earthy, funky finish. Kettle corn or caramel popcorn highlights the sweet cereal notes in a casual pairing.

What sizes does Trybox New Make come in? Trybox New Make Corn Whiskey is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Trybox New Make worth the price? Trybox New Make positions as a niche, educational expression within the affordable tier of American whiskey, appealing more to curious enthusiasts and cocktail experimenters than to casual sippers. Its value lies primarily in the unique opportunity to taste Heaven Hill's raw corn distillate at barrel entry proof — a perspective most drinkers never experience.

Why Trybox New Make?

What sets this expression apart is its transparency: it is the unaged precursor to Mellow Corn, bottled at the exact 125-proof barrel entry strength, giving drinkers an unobstructed view of Heaven Hill's corn whiskey before a single day in oak. Few major distilleries offer consumers this kind of access to their raw distillate. For anyone interested in understanding how barrel aging transforms spirit — or simply looking for a high-proof, corn-forward base for cocktails — Trybox New Make fills a gap that almost nothing else in the market addresses. It is a distillery-floor experience in a bottle, produced by one of Kentucky's most established and storied whiskey operations.