Heaven Hill distillery

Introduction to Heaven Hill

A distillery with passion for craft

Heaven Hill is a renowned American distillery that stands as one of the pillars of Kentucky bourbon heritage. Located in the heart of bourbon country, this family-owned distillery has established itself as a guardian of traditional American whiskey-making while evolving with the times. Their commitment to quality and consistency has made them one of the largest independent, family-owned spirits producers in the United States.

From their historic facilities in Bardstown and Louisville, Heaven Hill produces some of the most respected American whiskey brands in the world, maintaining traditional production methods while continuously innovating.

Why we have a soft spot for Heaven Hill

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that maintain their independence and family values while producing exceptional spirits. Heaven Hill stands out for its remarkable breadth of portfolio – from premium bourbons to rye whiskeys, each with distinct character and quality. The company’s commitment to maintaining traditional methods while still being willing to experiment with new expressions makes their whiskeys both reliable classics and exciting discoveries.

Their dedication to preserving bourbon heritage while pushing boundaries ensures that each bottle tells a story of American whiskey-making at its finest.

The History behind Heaven Hill

Origin and development

Heaven Hill was founded in 1935, just after the repeal of Prohibition, by the five Shapira brothers along with distiller Joseph L. Beam (of the famous Beam family). They began operations in Bardstown, Kentucky, with just one brand and the ambition to create quality bourbon at a time when the industry was rebuilding itself. Despite facing significant challenges, including a devastating 1996 fire that destroyed their original distillery and several warehouses, Heaven Hill persevered.

Over the decades, the company expanded its portfolio by acquiring historic brands and developing new ones, becoming a custodian of American whiskey heritage while continuing to grow its global presence. Today, Heaven Hill boasts the second-largest inventory of aging Kentucky whiskey in the world.

The people behind

Heaven Hill remains proudly family-owned, now operated by the second and third generations of the Shapira family. This continuity of vision has allowed them to maintain their independence in an era of industry consolidation. The distillery’s team includes master distillers who carry forward traditional techniques with the same devotion as their predecessors.

The late Parker Beam, who served as Master Distiller for decades, set an exceptional standard for quality that continues today under the guidance of his successors. This family stewardship ensures that each decision is made with long-term quality in mind, not just quarterly profits.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Production at Heaven Hill begins with their carefully guarded mash bills, using grains like corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. They maintain several different recipes, allowing them to produce a diverse range of whiskey styles. Their traditional production methods include open fermentation in cypress wood fermenters – a practice that helps develop their whiskeys’ distinct character.

The distillation takes place in copper stills, with the spirit running off at specific proof points determined by generations of experience. Heaven Hill is particularly known for the consistency of their distillate, which provides the perfect canvas for the aging process.

Maturation and aging

The true magic of Heaven Hill whiskeys develops during aging in new, charred American oak barrels, as required for bourbon production. Their warehouses, or “rickhouses,” are mostly traditional wooden structures that allow Kentucky’s dramatic seasonal temperature fluctuations to work their magic on the maturing spirits.

Some of their most celebrated releases come from specific warehouse locations known to produce exceptional barrels. The rickhouses themselves become characters in the story of each whiskey, with different floors and positions yielding distinct flavor profiles based on temperature and humidity variations.

Selected products from Heaven Hill

Elijah Craig Small Batch – An introduction to the house style

This award-winning bourbon serves as an excellent entry point to understand Heaven Hill’s approach to whiskey-making. With notes of vanilla, caramel, oak and a touch of spice, Elijah Craig Small Batch demonstrates the classic Kentucky bourbon profile that has earned Heaven Hill its reputation. The balanced flavor profile and accessible price point make it a staple for both cocktails and neat sipping.

Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year – An experience for connoisseurs

This bottled-in-bond, single barrel bourbon showcases Heaven Hill’s capacity for creating distinctive, age-stated whiskeys of exceptional quality. Each barrel is aged for a full decade before bottling, resulting in a robust expression with rich oak, caramel, spice, and subtle fruit notes. The higher proof (100) and extended aging create a more complex drinking experience that rewards careful attention.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

Heaven Hill’s impressive Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown offers comprehensive tours that walk visitors through the entire whiskey-making process. The experience typically includes educational components about bourbon history and production, followed by guided tastings of several expressions from their extensive portfolio.

For serious enthusiasts, premium tasting experiences are available, offering the chance to sample more exclusive releases in an intimate setting with knowledgeable guides who can answer even the most technical questions about production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Heaven Hill?

Heaven Hill is one of America’s largest independent, family-owned distilled spirits producers, specializing in bourbon and American whiskey production. They focus on maintaining traditional production methods while honoring the heritage of iconic American whiskey brands, many of which they have preserved through acquisition and careful stewardship.

Where is Heaven Hill located?

Heaven Hill’s main production facility is located in Louisville, Kentucky, with aging warehouses and the Bourbon Heritage Center visitor experience in Bardstown, Kentucky – often called the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” This location in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country provides the ideal climate and water source for traditional bourbon production.

What characterizes Heaven Hill?

Heaven Hill is especially known for their diverse portfolio spanning multiple price points and flavor profiles, from accessible everyday bourbons to premium limited editions. Their adherence to traditional production methods, diverse mash bills, and patient aging creates whiskeys with distinctive character and dependable quality. They’re also recognized for preserving historic American whiskey brands that might otherwise have disappeared.

Where can I buy whiskey from Heaven Hill?

You can find selected bottles from Heaven Hill’s portfolio at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their offerings, including both their core expressions and limited releases, to ensure you have access to the best examples of their craftsmanship. From everyday favorites to collector’s items, we provide a selection that represents the full spectrum of Heaven Hill’s whiskey-making excellence.