353: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass: Exploring Chinquapin Oak Whiskey

In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake and Scott dive deep into Heaven Hill’s newest innovation — the Grain to Glass® Specialty Barrel Series. The series launches with three unique whiskeys, each aged entirely in Chinquapin Oak barrels, showcasing Heaven Hill’s continued commitment to experimentation and craftsmanship. The trio includes: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – 105 proof (Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Rye, 13% Malt) Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey – 105 proof (Mashbill: 52% Corn, 35% Wheat, 13% Malt) Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 107 proof (Mashbill: 63% Rye, 24% Corn, 13% Malt) Each whiskey was barreled at 107 proof, a nod to the historic entry proof used by Heaven Hill’s founders, and bottled non-chill filtered to preserve the full depth and character developed from the Chinquapin Oak. Jake and Scott discuss how these releases reflect Heaven Hill’s legacy of innovation while honoring tradition — exploring the flavor differences between each mashbill, the influence of Chinquapin Oak, and what this series could signal for future Heaven Hill experiments. Tune in for tasting notes, honest impressions, and a conversation that celebrates one of Kentucky’s most respected distilleries continuing to push boundaries in bourbon-making.   Stream this episode on your favorite podcast platform, and if you enjoy what you hear, we’d love for you to leave us a review. We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you’re enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast. You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more. Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at Info@BourbonLens.com. Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews. Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens