Heaven Hill Distillery Celebrates 90 Years of Independent Family Ownership with Limited 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Release
Special Anniversary Edition Honors Nine Decades of Family Tradition and American Whiskey Excellence with a 107-Proof Bourbon Aged in Heavy Char Barrels
Photo credit: Heaven Hill
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (November 4, 2025) — Heaven Hill Distillery, the largest independent, family-owned and led distilled spirits company of brands in the United States, proudly commemorates its 90th anniversary with a special release, Heaven Hill Distillery’s 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This exceptional bottling honors nine decades of family craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to preserving the heritage of America’s Native Spirit.
Crafted from Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbill, 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, this 107-proof Bourbon is a thoughtfully constructed blend of 70% Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and 30% Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged in heavy char barrels. Each of the 204 barrels selected for this release was produced on December 13, 2015, marking Heaven Hill’s 80th Anniversary, and matured for nine years and eight months in Rickhouses G and H on the 4th and 6th floors.
The result is a deeply complex Bourbon that showcases the distillery’s mastery of maturation and blending. The use of heavy char barrels, intensely fired to create a deep “alligator” char layer, enhances the whiskey’s smoothness and depth, imparting rich notes of caramel, vanilla, toasted spice, and oak warmth. The whiskey is non-chill filtered to preserve its full character and mouthfeel.
“As we celebrate Heaven Hill’s 90th anniversary, I’m reminded of the vision my father and his brothers had when they founded this company in 1935,” said Max L. Shapira, Heaven Hill Executive Chairman. “Their goal was simple but profound, to build a family business that would craft whiskey with integrity, patience, and pride. Nine decades later, we continue that mission with the same independent spirit, passion for quality, and respect for tradition that has guided us from the start. This 90th Anniversary release is both a reflection of our history and a toast to our future.”
“This release is particularly special because it captures nearly a decade of patient aging and our team’s thoughtful approach to barrel selection,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery. “By incorporating Bourbon aged in heavy char barrels, we’ve deepened the flavor profile and created a whiskey with exceptional richness and balance. The result is a spirit that embodies the craftsmanship and character that have defined Heaven Hill for 90 years.”
The Heaven Hill Distillery’s 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available nationwide in limited quantities beginning in October 2025, with a suggested retail price of $124.99.
ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.
