Heaven Hill Phoenix 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml — 30th Anniversary Commemorative Edition

On November 7, 1996, a fire destroyed Heaven Hill’s original distillery in Bardstown, Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, along with seven rickhouses. It was a devastating loss for the family-owned company, and the way it recovered became part of its story: Heaven Hill kept its proprietary yeast strain, which preserved continuity in its whiskey production, and kept going. Thirty years later, the distillery has released Heaven Hill Phoenix, a one-time, limited-edition bourbon to mark the anniversary. As Max L. Shapira, executive chairman and second-generation family owner, put it, the release honors “the people who chose to move forward together,” and “that same spirit of adaptability and shared purpose continues to guide Heaven Hill today.”

The whiskey itself is the link to the past. Phoenix begins with an 18-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, produced in March 2008 and fully matured in heavy-char barrels, and it’s blended with 30-year-old whiskey distilled at Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery before the fire, which gives each bottle a literal connection to the original distillery. Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll explains the idea: “Heaven Hill Phoenix balances the mature oak and length of its 30-year-old component with the structure of 18-year-old bourbon aged in heavy-char oak.” It’s bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV), and is an 18-year-old age statement, reflecting the youngest whiskey in the blend.

The distillery’s tasting notes describe a nose that “opens with polished oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel,” a palate of “butterscotch, cinnamon, caramel and baked apple,” and a finish that is “warm and long, with notes of sweet apple pie and a peppery spice.” Retailers add dark caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, leather, and dried fruit. No independent reviews are published yet for this brand-new release.

It’s a significant bottle for Heaven Hill collectors, in the tradition of the distillery’s Parker’s Heritage and Heritage Collection releases: a rare, one-time blend with real history behind it, announced just this week, and distributed in limited markets beginning in October 2026. It’s also a good gift for bourbon fans who appreciate a good story. Sip neat, with a few drops of water.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Heaven Hill Phoenix is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, under Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. It is a Kentucky straight bourbon blending 18-year-old bourbon produced in March 2008 and matured in heavy-char barrels with 30-year-old whiskey distilled at the original Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery before the 1996 fire. Bottled at 53.5% ABV / 107 proof, 750ml. A one-time, limited-edition release.

Critics Reviews

No independent reviews or critic scores are published yet for this brand-new release.

Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller, Heaven Hill:
“Heaven Hill Phoenix balances the mature oak and length of its 30-year-old component with the structure of 18-year-old Bourbon aged in heavy-char oak.”

Heaven Hill (official tasting notes):
“Nose: Polished oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel. Palate: Butterscotch, cinnamon, caramel and baked apple. Finish: Warm and long, with notes of sweet apple pie and a peppery spice.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Polished oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel.

Palate
Butterscotch, cinnamon, caramel, and baked apple, with leather and dried fruit.

Finish
Warm and long, with sweet apple pie and peppery spice.

Quick Overview

Cocktail & Serving Suggestions

Neat in a Glencairn glass — let it open for several minutes.

With a few drops of water — to bring out the apple, butterscotch, and spice.

Food Pairings

• Apple pie and baked apples
• Caramel and butterscotch desserts
• Aged cheddar
• Roasted nuts and dark chocolate