Heaven Hill 27 Year Barrel Proof is a one-time release of pre-fire Kentucky straight bourbon, distilled in 1989 and 1990 by the late master distiller Parker Beam. Just 41 barrels survived long enough to be used, and when they were mingled the natural strength was an unusually low 94.7 proof.
About This Bourbon
In 1990, 61 barrels were filled for this stock. By dumping day in October 2017, 13 were completely empty and seven failed the tasting, leaving 41 barrels with under 600 gallons between them, over 80% lost across 27 years. Almost all had aged on the first and second floors of Rickhouses G, H, P, U and Y, where cool, humid conditions pulled the proof down. The mingled whiskey, from Heaven Hill's standard 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley mash, filled 2,820 bottles at 47.35% ABV, released in late 2018.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried fruit, baking spice and pipe tobacco, with orange oil and aged oak.
- Palate: Vanilla and floral notes, then pepper and clove; butterscotch and black tea on a soft, mature frame.
- Finish: Builds slowly, then stays long and gentle with toasted oak.
Serving & Food
This is bourbon for quiet sipping: a small tasting glass at room temperature, no ice and no water needed at this strength. Keep food simple, perhaps shelled walnuts, a sliver of aged Comté, or a few dried apricots.
How to Enjoy
Bourbon historians and collectors of pre-fire Heaven Hill, or a shared bottle for a significant birthday or anniversary.
Product Details
Producer: Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky
Style: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, barrel proof
Distilled: 1989 to 1990, Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Age: 27 years old
Strength: Barrel proof, 94.7 proof / 47.35% ABV
Barrels: 41
Bottles: 2,820
Released: 2018
Format: 750mL
About the Distillery
Heaven Hill was founded in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1935 and is still owned and run by descendants of the Shapira brothers, with no outside shareholders. Its bourbons include Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny and the Parker's Heritage Collection named after Parker Beam, who spent decades as master distiller.
On 7 November 1996 a fire that started in a rickhouse destroyed the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery and roughly 90,000 barrels. The family kept going with help from neighbouring distillers, bought the Bernheim distillery in Louisville in 1999, and in September 2025 opened a new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery back in Bardstown. The barrels in this bottle were filled at the old Bardstown plant and came through the fire.