Heaven Hill
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Distilled beverages |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Founder | Joseph L. Beam and Shapira family members |
| Headquarters | Bardstown and Louisville, Kentucky , United States |
Area served | United States, worldwide |
Key people | Beam family (Master Distillers), Shapira brothers (owners) |
| Products | Bourbon whiskey, corn whiskey, rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, Canadian whisky, aperitif, brandy, cognac, liqueur, rum, tequila, vodka |
Number of employees | 420 (unionized employees as of 2021) |
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc is a privately held, family-operated distillery in the United States, established in 1935 and based in Bardstown, Kentucky. The company produces and distributes Heaven Hill Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey along with ten additional bourbon labels, as well as a range of other spirits, brandies, and cordials.
Operating from its current site, the Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery located in Louisville, Kentucky, the firm ranks as the seventh-largest alcohol supplier nationwide. It holds the position of the second-largest bourbon inventory globally and stands as the largest independent family-owned spirits producer within the U.S. Notably, it is also the sole major family-owned distillery headquartered in Kentucky.
History
Established soon after Prohibition ended by investors including Joseph L. Beam and members of the Shapira family, Heaven Hill eventually became fully controlled by the Shapira brothers. The role of Master Distiller has consistently been filled by individuals from the Beam family lineage, ensuring sustained expertise and leadership continuity. Initially named "Old Heavenhill Springs" distillery, the company concentrated on producing bulk bourbon for third-party buyers through futures contracts while also developing flagship brands such as Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Over a span of more than twenty years, Heaven Hill broadened its product range by acquiring additional brands and securing import rights for gins, malt whiskeys, vodkas, and other spirit categories.
In 1996, a catastrophic fire devastated most of Heaven Hill’s production facility (DSP-KY-31), resulting in the loss of approximately 90,000 barrels (around 7.7 million gallons) of bourbon. To maintain operations during this period, the company utilized production capabilities from local competitors Brown–Forman and Jim Beam until it purchased the Bernheim distillery (DSP-KY-1) from Diageo in 1999. While fermentation and distillation processes are conducted in Louisville, the aging and bottling stages continue to take place in Bardstown.
The acquisition of distribution rights for Hpnotiq in 2003 marked a significant diversification beyond bourbon for Heaven Hill; Hpnotiq has since become the fourth top-selling imported liqueur in the United States. Despite this expansion into other spirits, bourbon remains at the core of Heaven Hill’s business strategy.
Heaven Hill strongly emphasizes its bourbon heritage within its branding and public relations efforts, underscoring its Kentucky origins and status as a locally owned enterprise. In 2004, it inaugurated the Bourbon Heritage Center on its original site to support bourbon tourism and education initiatives. The company also organizes the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival and names several brands after historic distillers native to the region.
Since 2010, Heaven Hill has invested over $100 million toward expanding its distillery facilities, constructing warehouses, and enhancing tourism infrastructure. In 2018, it revealed a $65 million multi-year investment plan that includes upgrades to the Bourbon Heritage Center.
In September 2021, roughly 420 unionized employees initiated a strike due to disagreements over contract negotiations. Subsequently, in February 2022, Heaven Hill expanded its brand portfolio by acquiring Samson & Surrey, proprietors of Widow Jane and Few labels.
In 2023, Heaven Hill resolved a trademark dispute with Log Still Distillery concerning the "J.W. Dant" name—originally acquired by Heaven Hill in 1993—following legal action over alleged trademark infringement related to Log Still’s marketing practices.
Production process
Heaven Hill Bourbon is crafted using a mash bill consisting of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The barrels designated for aging undergo charring to a level #3, which involves a 35-second burn. Prior to bottling, the whiskey is subjected to chill filtration through charcoal at a temperature of 25°F.
Brands
Heaven Hill offers an extensive range of products, including: Bourbon whiskey: Cabin Still, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Fighting Cock, Heaven Hill, Henry McKenna, J.T.S. Brown, Larceny (wheated), Old Fitzgerald (wheated), Parker's Heritage Collection, Widow Jane.
Corn whiskey: Georgia Moon, Mellow Corn
Rye whiskey: Pikesville, Rittenhouse
Wheat whiskey: Bernheim Original
FEW: Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt, American whiskey
Canadian whisky: Black Velvet
Aperitif: Dubonnet
Brandy: Christian Brothers, Sacred Bond
Cognac: Ansac
Liqueur: Carolans, Copa De Oro, Coronet VSQ, Fulton's Harvest, Hpnotiq, Irish Mist, PAMA
Rum: Admiral Nelson, Blackheart
Tequila: Lunazul, Two Fingers
Vodka: Burnett's, Deep Eddy, Du Bouchett