Heaven Hill Releases Phoenix: 18 & 30-Year Bourbon Blend

Commemorating the 1996 Distillery Fire and Rebuild: Specs Revealed for Heavily Toasted and Ultra-Aged Blend

Kentucky-based Heaven Hill has announced the release of Heaven Hill Phoenix, a new limited-edition bourbon commemorating a pivotal chapter in the brand's history when the original distillery was destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt.

Bottled at 53.5% ABV, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey marries an 18-year-old bourbon distilled in March 2008 and aged in heavily toasted oak barrels with rare 30-year-old whiskey from the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. Presented in a custom special-edition gift box, the bottle features an illustration of a phoenix rising from the ashes along with the motto "Remember. Rebuild. Rise."

Tasting Profile and Blending Highlights

On the nose, Heaven Hill Phoenix reveals prominent aromas of polished oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel. The palate delivers flavours of butterscotch, caramel, cinnamon, and baked apple, balanced by delicate oak tannins. The finish is warm and lingering, showcasing nuances of sweet apple tart and peppery baking spices.

Max L. Shapira, Executive Chairman and second-generation family owner of Heaven Hill, noted that while the fire was a devastating loss, it demonstrated the team's shared resolve to move forward together. That resilience and unified purpose continue to guide the distillery today, with Phoenix paying tribute to the employees, community members, and industry partners who refused to let an overnight disaster define generations of craftsmanship. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll added that the release harmoniously balances the mature oak character and length of the 30-year-old liquid with the structure of the 18-year heavily toasted barrel bourbon, embodying the unyielding spirit that guided the distillery through the fire.

Retrospective: The 1996 Distillery Fire

On November 7, 1996, a catastrophic fire suspected to have been triggered by a lightning strike broke out at the original Bardstown facility. High winds quickly engulfed the distillery—originally founded in 1935—and seven aging warehouses, consuming nearly 100,000 barrels of mature whiskey. With damages estimated at $30 million, it ranks among the most severe disasters in American whiskey history. Remarkably, no lives were lost, no workers lost their jobs, and the distillery’s proprietary yeast strain was preserved unharmed, safeguarding generations of future distilling tradition. This limited-edition bourbon officially launches later this month.

📅 Release Date: 2026-10-29

🔗 Source: The Whisky Wire