Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Series Review – Wheated, Straight & Rye Bourbon Tasting
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass.
From Seed to Spirit – The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Experiment
In an industry often clouded with sourced whiskey and vague origin stories, Heaven Hill has pulled back the curtain with their Grain to Glass series—a trio of premium, high-proof, non-chill filtered bourbons born from transparency, terroir, and a whole lot of Beck’s 6158 corn.
On this Tortured Bourbon episode, Heather and B explore all three expressions:
Wheated Bourbon (121 proof)
Straight Bourbon (107 proof)
Rye Whiskey (yep, the minty menace returns…)
If you’ve ever wanted to taste what true bourbon transparency looks like—literally from the grain varietal to the rickhouse floor—this one’s for you.
🎬 Watch the Full Episode
Join us for an unfiltered review of all three Grain to Glass bottles, complete with first impressions, live tasting reactions, nerdy deep dives, and our signature Tortured Bourbon scale.
🌽 What Makes “Grain to Glass” Different?
“Grain to Glass” means total control—seed selection, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. This isn’t about mass-market blends. This is intentional bourbon, built from the ground up.
Key Features of the Series:
All expressions aged 6 years
Rickhouse W3, Floors 3–5
Corn Varietal: Beck’s 6158
Bottled non-chill filtered
Mash bill variations across all three
Released at cask strength (or close)
Each bottle is a masterclass in whiskey variation—how the same grain and rickhouse can produce wildly different results based on mash bill and proof.
🔥 Expression 1: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon
Stats:
Mash Bill: 52% Corn, 35% Wheat, 13% Malted Barley
Proof: 121
Age: 6 Years
MSRP: $99
Style: Wheated Bourbon
Filter: Non-chill filtered
🥃 Tasting Notes (On-Air Reaction):
Heather: “Sweet, bold, and punchy. A wheated bourbon with teeth.”
B: “It’s like Weller got a gym membership. Rich, layered, and beautifully hot.”
This was the hardest bottle to find and the one that sparked a mini-bourbon hunt for Heather and B. Thanks to a generous sample from Patron Steve, they were finally able to review it. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint.
🔥 Expression 2: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Straight Bourbon
Stats:
Mash Bill: 52% Corn, 35% Rye, 13% Malted Barley
Proof: 107
Age: 6 Years
MSRP: $99
Style: Traditional Bourbon
Filter: Non-chill filtered
🥃 Tasting Notes (On-Air Reaction):
Heather: “This is a totally different animal. Spice, complexity, and a smooth backbone.”
B: “A rye-heavy bourbon that hits like a vintage wrestling promo. Big energy.”
While the wheated version was soft and sweet, the Straight Bourbon brings heat, baking spice, and a more classic Kentucky bourbon profile—making it a great comparison bottle.
🌿 Expression 3: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey
Stats:
Mash Bill: Not released (high rye content expected)
Proof: N/A (subject to batch)
Style: Straight Rye Whiskey
Filter: Non-chill filtered
🥃 Tasting Notes (On-Air Reaction):
B: “I was not ready for this again. The mint is a full-on uppercut.”
Heather: “It’s bold, it’s herbal, and you know what—you might just love it.”
Originally reviewed in a past episode, the rye makes a surprise encore. While B tried to dodge it, Heather insisted they revisit it to complete the set. If you like spearmint-forward rye bombs, this one’s for you.
🧠 Why This Series Matters
In today’s bourbon landscape, where many brands are sourced and stories are manufactured, Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass series is the real deal. This is one of the few major distillers pulling off:
Single grain varietal transparency
Controlled rickhouse aging disclosure
High proof + non-chill filtered bottling
Side-by-side mash bill experimentation
It’s the closest thing to a bourbon science experiment we’ve seen from a big name—and we’re here for it.
🏆 Tortured Bourbon Verdict
We rank our bourbons using the Tortured Bourbon scale:
Piddlin’ – Just… no.
Bless Your Heart – It tried.
That Dog Will Hunt – Solid everyday pour.
Hush Your Mouth – Standout bourbon.
Cock of the Walk – We’d elbow our grandmas for another bottle.
Each expression earned its place on the board—watch the full episode to find out where they landed.
📣 Join the Conversation
Have you tried any of the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass releases? Which was your favorite? Was the rye a revelation or a minty menace? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to tag us on social when you pour your own!
