Heaven Hill Launches New 2025 Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye

Heaven Hill is turning heads with their latest release — the newest addition to their Grain to Glass series, this time focusing on Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Known for their deep bourbon roots, Heaven Hill is using this project to highlight transparency, local sourcing, and old-school craftsmanship.

The new Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye is distilled, aged, and bottled entirely in Bardstown using Kentucky-grown grains. It's a bold, bottled-in-bond rye that sticks to tradition, but with the added focus of showcasing the ingredients and process behind every bottle.

What to Expect:

• Mash Bill: 63% rye, 24% corn, 13% malted barley

• Proof: 100 (Bottled-in-Bond)

• Age: Minimum 5 years

• Price: $99.99

• Availability: Limited to Kentucky, distillery gift shops, and select retailers

While Heaven Hill is no stranger to great rye — think Pikesville Rye and Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond — this new release takes things a step further by emphasizing the complete story, from locally grown grain all the way to the glass. The brand says the goal is to show off not just the final product, but the farmers, the distillers, and the legacy that goes into each bottle.

Why It Matters:

The Grain to Glass line launched in 2024 with a Kentucky Bourbon, and the 2025 Rye is the next chapter in what Heaven Hill calls a “homegrown whiskey experience.” With the industry’s growing focus on transparency and local sourcing, this is right in line with where premium whiskey is headed — authentic, traceable, and rooted in place.

That $99.99 price tag keeps it in the premium space, but for a bottled-in-bond, estate-driven rye from one of Kentucky’s most respected names, it’ll be an easy pickup for collectors and hardcore rye drinkers.

Bottom Line:
Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Rye combines the spice and structure rye fans love with the story and sourcing transparency that’s becoming a bigger part of the whiskey world. If you’re local to Kentucky or planning a trip, it’s worth tracking down — this one won’t sit on shelves for long.

Michter’s Unveils 2025 Shenk’s and Bomberger’s Limited Releases

Good news for Michter’s fans — the annual release of Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon is officially happening. These two bottles have become staples for collectors and whiskey enthusiasts, and the 2025 editions bring a familiar mix of history, bold flavors, and unique aging techniques.

For those keeping track, both Shenk’s and Bomberger’s pay tribute to Michter’s deep roots, dating all the way back to the mid-1700s. Though Michter’s is now firmly planted in Kentucky, these bottles connect to that Pennsylvania heritage with small-batch, experimental whiskey that fans scramble to grab each year.

2025 Bomberger’s Declaration

This year’s Bomberger’s is coming in at 108.4 proof, offering plenty of punch while keeping that signature Michter’s balance. As with previous editions, a portion of the bourbon was aged in toasted and charred European oak barrels, adding deeper oak spice, toasted wood, and richness.

The Details:

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• 108.4 proof

• Finished with European oak influence

• Rich, bold, oaky character with baking spice and dark fruit

• MSRP around $120

• Extremely limited release

Bomberger’s tends to be the more intense, oak-forward option of the two, and with that proof point, this year’s edition is right on brand.

2025 Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash

Shenk’s is also back for 2025, bottled at a slightly lower but still robust 91.2 proof. Known for its unique grain bill and French oak influence, this release includes a portion of whiskey aged in toasted French oak barrels and incorporates malted rye, boosting the body, mouthfeel, and complexity.

The Details:

• Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

• 91.2 proof

• Malted rye in the mash bill

• Finished with French oak for layered spice and smoothness

• MSRP around $110

• Limited availability

Shenk’s tends to lean softer, spicier, and a little more rounded than Bomberger’s, making it a favorite for those who like nuanced, approachable whiskey with a unique grain-forward profile.

The Bottom Line

Michter’s continues to blend tradition with innovation through these annual releases, and both bottles will be hard to find once they hit shelves. If you’re a fan of toasted oak, layered flavor, or Michter’s signature small-batch style, these are worth tracking down — but don’t sleep on them, they’ll move fast.

Want tasting notes or comparisons when they land? Let me know — I’ll have my eyes peeled for both.

More Bottles to Hunt This Month – July 2025

July is packed with exciting new whiskey releases — from experimental cask finishes to bold, barrel-proof expressions. Whether you're a collector chasing limited editions or just looking for something unique to pour this summer, here's your curated list of standout bottles to keep on your radar:

Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon

• 123.9 - 129.8 Proof • $220 • Distillery-only
  For those chasing Texas heat and bold flavors, Garrison Brothers is offering a cask-strength, single-barrel version of their beloved Guadalupe bourbon. Finished in port wine casks and only available at the distillery — serious collectors, take note.

Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Texas Straight Bourbon (2025)

• 107 Proof • $150
  The standard Guadalupe release is back too, combining rich bourbon sweetness with a port wine finish. Big fruit, big flavor, and a healthy proof — no Texas trip required for this one.

Doc Holliday "I'm Your Huckleberry" Oloroso Sherry Finished Bourbon

• 108 Proof • Aged 8 Years
  A clever nod to the legendary gunslinger, this 8-year bourbon gets a rich, fruity twist from Oloroso Sherry cask finishing. Expect dessert-like notes of dried fruit, spice, and sweetness.

Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye

• 108 Proof • 4-7 Years Old
  Pursuit Spirits adds a Cognac cask finish to their rye lineup. At 108 proof, expect a bold, spicy base layered with fruit, oak, and that signature Cognac sweetness. Solid pick for rye fans looking for something different.

Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon (2025)

• 100 Proof • Aged 6 Years
  Texas-based Still Austin brings their red corn bourbon to Bottled-in-Bond status. Red corn adds earthy, nutty character, while 100 proof keeps it bold yet balanced.

Old Fitzgerald 11 Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (2025)

• 100 Proof • Aged 11 Years • Kentucky Exclusive
  The latest in the highly coveted Old Fitz decanter series, this 11-year bottled-in-bond bourbon is for serious collectors. Expect rich oak, classic sweetness, and iconic packaging — but good luck finding one outside of Kentucky.

Which bottles are you hunting this July? Whether you're after the bold heat of Garrison Brothers, the Still Austin Red Corn, or the experimental cask finishes from Penelope and Pursuit, there’s no shortage of exciting options hitting shelves.

Share your picks, your finds, and your tasting notes — I always love hearing what bottles you're chasing!