The latest innovation from Heaven Hill is their new Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.
The process begins with fully matured Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom-toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company.
The toast on these barrels is unique to Elijah Craig Toasted Rye, the company says.
At the end of the toasting process, a cap is placed on the barrel to ramp up the heat to a high temperature, meant to allow phenols to embed in the surface of the barrel for an added element of smoke to complement the spice and sweetness of the rye.
Unlike other finished whiskeys, this new release retains its Kentucky Straight Rye status because the second finishing barrel is both new nad charred.
Elijah Craig Toasted Rye has aromas of toasted oak, crème brûlée, almond and hazelnut, the distillery reports. On the palate is milk chocolate and baking spices, before a finish of drawn-out spices.
“From the moment our tasting panel tried Elijah Craig Toasted Rye through our ongoing innovation process, we knew this expression was going to be special,” says group product director Max Stefka. “The custom toasted barrel from our partners at Independent Stave Company takes an already world-class whiskey and adds in a dessert-like bouquet of flavors.”
Elijah Craig Toasted Rye is a traditional American Straight Rye mashbill with 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley.
Each bottle of this new expression will bear hints of softened dark green with the toasted rye designation featured on the top of the label and on the bottle.
This allocated release rolls out nationally for the suggested retail price of $54.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
This follows the recent release of Heaven Hill Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Whiskey, Spring 2024 Edition.
