Heaven’s Door, co-created with Bob Dylan, is a brand that fuses artistry with exceptional whiskey craftsmanship. At the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, it proved its excellence, winning multiple accolades for its innovative and meticulously crafted expressions. From the bold Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon to the refined Bootleg Series, Volume V, each whiskey reflects a dedication to quality and creativity. With unique finishes, rich flavor profiles, and masterful aging techniques, these award-winning spirits showcase why Heaven’s Door stands out in the whiskey world. Here’s a closer look at the Heaven’s Door whiskeys that earned top honors last year.

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Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Heaven’s Door Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey stands out with its unique blend of two premium Kentucky bourbons, aged for over five years to reach exceptional depth. Crafted without charcoal mellowing or chill filtration, this Bourbon preserves its natural flavor profile, allowing the rich aromas of baked bread and dried fruit to emerge. On the palate, you’ll experience a smooth, lasting finish of caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Master Distiller Ken Pierce shares, “Ascension is a perfect example of how we blend tradition with innovation, using two distinct mash bills to create layers of complexity and refining every step.” This bourbon is the perfect fusion of tradition and new possibilities.

Image: Ascension Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Heaven’s Door Homesick Blues Minnesota Wheated Bourbon

Heaven’s Door Homesick Blues Minnesota Wheated Bourbon is a unique cask strength release that honors Bob Dylan’s Minnesota roots. Aged for seven years with a 70% corn and 30% wheat mashbill, this Bourbon delivers bright baking spices, honey, and vanilla on the palate, balanced by dried oak and cinnamon-raisin sweetness. The finish lingers with peppercorn spice, oak, leather, and dried peanuts. Master Distiller Ken Pierce crafted this bourbon to embrace Minnesota’s cold climate, enhancing the soft wheat character. At 122.7 proof, it offers a smooth yet bold experience, making it a standout in the cask strength wheated bourbon category.

Image: Heaven’s Door Homesick Blues Minnesota Wheated Bourbon

Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series, Volume V

Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series, Volume V, is an extraordinary 18-year-old straight bourbon finished in Spanish sweet vermouth casks, released in 2023. At 114 proof, this rare bourbon showcases a unique combination of dark fruit, allspice, and vanilla on the nose, with delicate notes of caramel, honey, and roasted walnuts on the palate. The vermouth finish adds a layer of complexity, balancing sweet and dry flavors that enhance the bold oak and spice core. Presented in a handcrafted ceramic bottle adorned with Bob Dylan’s art, it’s a luxurious, collectible release for discerning bourbon lovers and Bob Dylan fans.

Image: Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series, Volume V

Heaven’s Door Revival, Tennessee Straight Bourbon

Distilled and aged in Tennessee for at least five years, Revival, Tennessee Straight Bourbon offers a rich, smooth experience. Non-chill-filtered, it retains its natural, mature flavors. The nose opens with aromas of caramel, vanilla, and oak, complemented by hints of charred wood and toasted grains. On the palate, it delivers a smooth, lasting finish of caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg, showcasing a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. As Master Distiller Pierce explains, “Revival reminds us that the lines between states—and even between traditional categories like bourbon and Tennessee whiskey—can be flexible.”

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Image: Heaven’s Door Revival, Tennessee Straight Bourbon

Heaven's Door Refuge Straight Rye Whiskey 

Heaven's Door Refuge Straight Rye Whiskey is a rich and complex spirit crafted with a 100% rye mash bill and aged for 6–8 years. After reaching its peak maturity, the whiskey undergoes a unique finish in sherry casks, imparting a layer of sweetness and depth that complements the rye’s natural spice. The result is a harmonious blend of dark fruit, oak, and spice, with flavors of dried fruit, honey, caramel, and a warming, spicy finish. "Our Refuge Straight Finish Rye is a testament to our commitment to quality and creativity," says Master Distiller Ken Pierce, highlighting the whiskey’s distinctive profile.

Image: Heaven's Door Refuge Straight Rye Whiskey 

Heaven's Door Exploration Series I: Calvados Finish

This limited-time release features Heaven's Door’s award-winning Tennessee Straight Bourbon, finished in freshly dumped Calvados Brandy casks. The addition of medium-heavy toasted French oak staves brings an extra layer of complexity, enriching the whiskey with aromas and flavors of fresh apple cider, baked apple brandy, brown sugar, and caramel. Aged for five years, this unique creation blends the boldness of bourbon with the subtle influence of calvados and oak, resulting in a complex, aromatic profile. With a proof of 108, it’s a bold and distinctive whiskey.

Image: Heaven's Door Exploration Series I: Calvados Finish

Heaven's Door Revelation Double Barrel Whiskey

Heaven's Door Revelation Double Barrel Whiskey is a masterfully crafted blend of two straight bourbons and one straight rye. Aged for at least five years in new American oak, the whiskey undergoes a further 6–12 months in alligator-charred barrels, which deepens its color and infuses it with rich, dark toasted vanilla flavors. This innovative aging process enhances the whiskey’s complexity, delivering notes of maple, vanilla custard, caramel, dark cherry, and dried apricot. Bottled at 100 proof, it boasts a smooth profile with a distinct depth, thanks to the air-dried barrel technique. As Pierce states, "This innovative approach creates a depth of flavor you won’t find in other distilleries."

Image: Heaven's Door Revelation Double Barrel Whiskey

Heaven's Door Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

This Bourbon whisky offers an exclusive whiskey experience, with each barrel hand-selected for its unique character and exceptional quality. This limited release is uniquely allocated to a single account, providing a personalized experience for discerning whiskey connoisseurs. Each sip reflects the craftsmanship and dedication behind Heaven's Door, ensuring that every bottle is a rare and memorable addition to any collection.

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Each expression reflects the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship, offering distinct flavors and exceptional quality. With its latest wins at the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards, Heaven’s Door reaffirms its place among the finest American whiskeys. Whether you’re a collector, a connoisseur, or simply a whiskey enthusiast, these celebrated expressions are well worth exploring.

Header image sourced from Heaven’s Door Instagram

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