Casual whiskey fans know Kentucky’s Heaven Hill Distillery for the big names it produces, like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Both of these are great bourbons, but the distillery also has its fair share of expensive, collectible bottles (some of which might even be classified as unicorns), including the Heritage Collection. The latest release in that series was just announced—a 22-year-old straight bourbon that is said to include some of the oldest barrels that the distillery has in its warehouses.

The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, which is released every spring, launched four years ago in 2022 with a 17-year-old barrel-proof bourbon. The collection is, according to the distillery, focused on highlighting American whiskeys made from its six core mashbills that are bottled at older age statements of at least 15 years. The 2023 release was a 20-year-old corn whiskey, the 2024 was a straight bourbon aged for 18 years, and last year’s release was a 19-year-old wheat whiskey.

For 2026, the Heritage Collection veers back to bourbon with this 22-year-old expression, the oldest in the series to date. The mashbill is, as mentioned before, the distillery’s traditional bourbon recipe: 78 percent corn, 10 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley, and it’s bottled at barrel proof (64.6 percent ABV) without chill filtration. If you’re interested in some more technical details, here you go: The whiskey is a blend of 270 barrels that were produced in February, July, and August of 2003 and bottled in December of 2025, and the casks were matured on the fifth and sixth floors of Rickhouse Y.

“This 22-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey is a striking example of how thoughtful aging and careful barrel selection can unlock extraordinary character in our traditional bourbon mashbill,” said master distiller Conor O’Driscoll in a statement. “These barrels have developed a remarkable balance of oak influence and preserved sweetness. It’s a testament to the patience and long-term vision that define the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection.”

We did not receive a sample to try, but the official tasting notes describe aromas of seasoned oak, dark caramel, and toasted vanilla. That’s followed by leather, warm cinnamon, and dried fruit on the palate and a finish with flavors like charred oak, toffee, and pepper spice. Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be available in limited quantities at specialty retailers starting this month. The suggested retail price is $320, but be prepared to pay more than that once it hits the secondary market.