Heaven Hill Distillery is debuting a limited-edition, 22-year-old bourbon as the 2026 edition of the Heritage Collection, marking the oldest release in the brand’s annual series. Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is now available in limited quantities across the U.S. and in select international markets, the distillery announced today.
This year’s Heritage Collection release, which fans await each spring, features the distillery’s traditional bourbon mashbill comprised of 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. It comes from a total of 270 barrels produced in February, July, and August 2003 and left to mature for 22 years. Heaven Hill bottled the expression at barrel proof this past December.
The expression’s extended maturation is a testament to Heaven Hill’s patience and mastery of flavor development, Conor O’Driscoll, master distiller at Heaven Hill, said in the announcement. “This year’s Heritage Collection release…is proof that when you let great whiskey mature on its own terms, it rewards you with depth, structure, and unmistakable character,” he explains.
After over two decades in oak barrels, oak headlines the flavor of this bourbon, smoothed by hints of caramel and baking spices. On the nose are notes of toasted nuts and citrus. The palate brings butterscotch, black tea, leather, and spice. The aged bourbon features a long finish with seasoned oak lingering on the palate.
Heaven Hill debuted its Heritage Collection in 2022 after the successes of its 27-year-old and 13-year-old bottlings in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Each 750 mL bottle of 2026’s 22-Year-Old bourbon comes in at 64.6% ABV with a suggested retail price of $319.99 — $20 to $40 more expensive than the series’ previous editions.
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