Established in 1935 in the heart of Bourbon country, Bardstown, the Heaven Hill Distillery is today the largest independent and family owned and operated Bourbon-maker in the US. What started out as an investment by the Shapira brothers post-Prohibition would gradually turn into an American icon with the success of brands like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, Parker's Heritage and of course its own Heaven Hill. Today, Heaven Hill is synonymous with Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey but just 30 years ago, that was all almost lost.

The Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown.

On November 7, 1996, Bardstown was struck by violent storms that brought a deadly combo of high winds and lightning strikes that would spark off a "river of fire" at the distillery. From just one ageing warehouse to the rest of the buildings, more than 90,000 barrels of Bourbon was destroyed in the incident that has been often describe by staff on the ground as one of the most terrifying nights of their life. This devastation completely took down what was then the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, and yet with the resilience of Heaven Hill, the distillery would forge on at first provide Bourbons to other brands, before acquiring the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville in 1999 where Heaven Hill today resides and has since filled its 10 millionth barrel in August 2023.

Whilst the catastrophe often feels like hindsight, Heaven Hill has certainly never forgotten one of the most pivotal moments of its history - to pay tribute to the 30 years since, it is releasing the Heaven Hill Phoenix.

In what is certainly going to become of Heaven Hill's most legendary expressions, the Heaven Hill Phoenix is a blend of 18 Year Old Bourbon aged in Heavy Char barrels together with 30 Year Old pre-fire Bourbon distilled at the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery!

The Heaven Hill Distillery in Louisville today.

With the tagline "Remember. Rebuild. Rise.", like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Heaven Hill has symbolically brought together Bourbons from its past and present together in what is an incredibly rare moment.

The Heaven Hill Phoenix Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is set to be bottled at 53.5% ABV (107 Proof).

This is definitely one to keep an eye out for if you're a Heaven Hill fan!

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team