Heaven Hill Distillery

What Heaven Hill Distillery does

Heaven Hill Distillery is the largest independent, family-owned Bourbon distillery in the world and the fourth-largest supplier of distilled spirits in the United States. Founded in 1935 by the Shapira brothers in Bardstown, Kentucky, the company has remained under continuous family ownership through three generations and currently operates two production campuses: the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville (acquired from United Distillers in 1999, capacity ~400,000 barrels/year, producing 1,300 barrels/day across 70-foot column stills and 17 fermentation tanks) and the newly opened Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown (April 2025, $200 million investment, initial 150,000 barrels/year scaling to 450,000 barrels). Combined aged inventory exceeds 2 million barrels across seven rickhouse sites in central Kentucky, including the 56,000-barrel Cox's Creek Barrel Preserve.

The company produces a comprehensive portfolio spanning every major American whiskey style, leveraging a proprietary seven-generation yeast strain and five signature mashbills (Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malt, Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon). Core brands include Evan Williams (the second-largest-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon in the U.S.), Elijah Craig, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Henry McKenna, Rittenhouse Rye, Pikesville Rye, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, and Mellow Corn. Ultra-premium limited editions include the Parker's Heritage Collection (named for late Master Distiller Parker Beam) and the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection. New technological investments include Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx distributed control system at the Springs facility, embedding modern process automation into bourbon production. The portfolio has earned 41 Best Whiskey awards, 15 Whisky of the Year titles, 88 Double Gold medals, and 7 Distiller of the Year honors.

Heaven Hill's revenue model is anchored in wholesale distilled spirits sales across value-to-ultra-premium price tiers ($20 to multi-thousand-dollar auction bottles), supplemented by direct-to-consumer channels: the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Louisville's Whiskey Row, the You Do Bourbon interactive tasting/bottling experience, and a nationwide direct-shipping online store (with state-level shipping restrictions). Customer segments are predominantly consumer (bourbon enthusiasts and collectors, gift buyers) and B2B hospitality/on-premise (bars, restaurants, hotels) supplied through nationwide retail and distributor networks. Brand-building investments include Old Fashioned Week (US, Canada, UK), PGA Championship sponsorships, and rare-bottle charity auctions via Sotheby's.

Name

Heaven Hill Distillery

Legal name

Heaven Hill Distillery

Website

https://heavenhilldistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Heaven Hill Distillery is the largest independent, family-owned Bourbon distillery in the world and the fourth-largest U.S. distilled spirits supplier, producing a full portfolio of American whiskeys across two Kentucky campuses and selling through wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and visitor-experience channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

American Whiskey Distilling

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD), Fine Wine & Luxury Spirits Retail (CRANABAE)

Keywords

• Bourbon whiskey
• American whiskey
• Rye whiskey
• Wheat whiskey
• Bottled-in-Bond

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Whiskey Product Sales: Heaven Hill generates revenue through the sale of its portfolio of American whiskeys including Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Bernheim, Henry McKenna, Rittenhouse Rye, and Pikesville Rye across various price points from value to ultra-premium limited editions.
2. Direct-to-Consumer Online Sales: Online store selling whiskey products, merchandise including barware, clothing, and home goods, shipped directly to consumers in select markets.
3. Bourbon Experience Tours: Revenue from immersive visitor experiences at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville, including tours, tastings, and exclusive products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Heaven Hill Distillery produces American whiskeys under a grain-to-glass process, distilling, aging, and bottling Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, Corn, and Malt whiskeys. The portfolio spans value expressions (Evan Williams, Old Fitzgerald) through ultra-premium limited editions (Parker's Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection), with revenue driven by branded whiskey product sales, direct-to-consumer online orders, and on-site Bourbon Experience tours, tastings, and personalization activities.

Product overview

Heaven Hill Distillery is America's largest family-owned Bourbon distillery, producing a comprehensive portfolio of American whiskeys since 1935. The portfolio includes core Bourbon brands (Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny), premium limited editions (Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, Parker's Heritage Collection), wheat whiskeys (Bernheim Original, Bernheim Barrel Proof), rye whiskeys (Rittenhouse, Pikesville, Elijah Craig Rye), and corn whiskeys (Mellow Corn). The company pioneered wheat whiskey as a new American whiskey style and produces more Bottled-in-Bond products than any other American Whiskey distiller. Specialty products include Kentucky-exclusive releases (Elijah Craig Barrel Select, William Heavenhill, Heaven Hill Select Stock, Five Brothers), the Grain to Glass series with seed-to-sip transparency, and the You Do Bourbon interactive experience. Visitor experiences are offered at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown and Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Whiskey Row in Louisville.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Evan Williams Bourbon Smooth, easy-to-drink Kentucky Straight Bourbon named after Evan Williams, who opened Kentucky's first commercial distillery in 1783; second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon in the U.S.
• Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Extra-aged small batch Bourbon honoring the year Evan Williams founded Kentucky's First Distillery; pulled from fewer than 200 barrels.
• Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof Bottled-in-Bond expression aged four years under U.S. Government Supervision.
• Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage The only vintage-dated single barrel Bourbon on the market, with each bottle marked with vintage date, bottling year, and exact barrel number.
• Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon Signature Bourbon named after Rev. Elijah Craig, credited as the first distiller to age whiskey in charred oak barrels; aged 8 to 12 years.
• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Uncut, straight-from-the-barrel Bourbon without chill filtering; bold expression of charred oak barrel aging released in batched editions (e.g., A, B, C series).
• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Straight Rye Whiskey in its purest form: uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering.
• Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey

Quantifiable outcome

• 88 Double Gold medals for whiskeys
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sotheby'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2026Sotheby's conducted an online Whisky & Whiskey auction (June 11-26, 2026) featuring rare Old Fitzgerald bourbons from Executive Chairman Max Shapira's personal collection, with proceeds benefiting Bernheim Forest and Arboretum.
• Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 April 2025Rockwell Automation partnered with Opus Integration to implement its PlantPAx modern distributed control system (DCS) at Heaven Hill's new $135 million facility in Bardstown, embedding digital transformation into bourbon production operations from day one.
• Opus IntegrationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 April 2025Opus Integration served as the implementation partner for Rockwell Automation's PlantPAx DCS system deployment at Heaven Hill's new Bardstown facility.
• Goose Island Beer CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration producing Elijah Craig Beer Barrel Finish - barrels originally used for Bourbon County Stout were transported to Kentucky for finishing Elijah Craig Small Batch for nine months.
• Independent Stave CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperage partner working with Heaven Hill to develop custom toast profiles for Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, including 18-month air-dried white oak barrels and months of R&D to perfect flavor balance.
• Master Blender Alain RoyerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Parker's Heritage Collection Orange Curaçao Finish, sourcing barrels from France and sampling bourbon monthly to achieve optimal flavor balance.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Woodford Reserve: Premium small-batch Kentucky bourbon owned by Brown-Forman, positioned in the same ultra-premium tier as Elijah Craig and Larceny Barrel Proof. Competes for on-premise placements and bourbon enthusiast mindshare with comparable heritage and award-driven marketing.
• Maker's Mark: Premium wheated bourbon owned by Beam Suntory, produced in Loretto, KY. Directly competes in the premium wheated bourbon category where Heaven Hill's Larceny and Old Fitzgerald brands live, with similar emphasis on heritage storytelling and visitor experiences at the Star Hill distillery.
• Jim Beam: Flagship bourbon brand of Beam Suntory and the #1 selling bourbon globally. Direct competitor across the value and premium tiers where Heaven Hill's Evan Williams (#2 selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon) operates, with overlapping on-premise and retail distribution.
• Buffalo Trace Distillery: Privately held by Sazerac and one of Heaven Hill's closest comparables: a Kentucky-based, multi-mashbill bourbon and rye producer with a similarly strong awards reputation (e.g., Pappy Van Winkle, EH Taylor, Blanton's) and ultra-premium aged inventory. Competes head-to-head for premium bourbon share and critic accolades.
• Wild Turkey: Kentucky bourbon distillery owned by Campari Group, producing a comparable premium bourbon and rye portfolio (Russell's Reserve, Rare Breed). Similar mid-large scale, Kentucky heritage, and multi-tier portfolio strategy make it a direct benchmark for Heaven Hill's positioning.
• Four Roses Distillery: Kentucky bourbon distillery owned by Kirin, distinctive for its ten unique bourbon recipes and multi-mashbill approach — directly analogous to Heaven Hill's five signature mashbills. Comparable craft focus, premium positioning, and visitor experience-driven DTC strategy.

Others

• MGP Ingredients: Major US supplier of distilled spirits and ingredient solutions, including bourbon, rye, and gin for both branded and private-label customers. Adjacent to Heaven Hill as a whiskey producer and contract supplier, with overlapping category exposure but different end-market mix.

Broad incumbents

• Brown-Forman: Large public spirits conglomerate owning Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester — direct overlap with Heaven Hill across bourbon categories. Significantly larger portfolio, global distribution, and marketing budget, making it the principal benchmark incumbent in American whiskey.
• Beam Suntory: Global premium spirits subsidiary of Suntory Holdings and owner of Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Knob Creek. Competes with Heaven Hill across virtually every bourbon price tier and benefits from international distribution infrastructure that Heaven Hill currently lacks.
• Sazerac: Privately held American spirits giant and parent of Buffalo Trace, Buffalo Trace Distillery, and a broad portfolio including Fireball and Southern Comfort. Most direct private-company benchmark for Heaven Hill given similar family-controlled, multi-brand, bourbon-centric strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/HeavenHill1935
• Facebookfacebook.com/heavenhilldistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/heavenhilldistillery

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heaven Hill Distillery