Uncut, Unfiltered, Straight From the Barrel — 10 Years
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye brings the same uncompromising, straight-from-the-barrel philosophy that made the bourbon line famous to Heaven Hill's Kentucky straight rye whiskey. Batch H-04 is bottled with nothing added and nothing taken away — no chill filtration, no proofing water — at a full 10-year age statement and the barrels' natural cask strength of 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV).
Named for Reverend Elijah Craig, the Baptist minister often credited with pioneering the charred oak aging process that defines American whiskey today, this release channels that legacy into a spicier, rye-forward direction. Each Barrel Proof Rye batch is released in limited quantity and bottled at a different proof, making Batch H-04 a distinct, non-repeatable expression that won't be replicated once it's gone.
Tasting Notes
Bold rye spice and black pepper up front, with clove, dark caramel, and toasted oak developing through the palate, carried by the high proof into a long, warming, peppery finish.
How to Enjoy
Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open up the spice and oak character. At cask strength, it also makes a standout base for a Manhattan or any rye cocktail that calls for bold, high-proof whiskey.
Why Collectors Seek This Out
Uncut and unfiltered — bottled straight from the barrel at natural cask strength
Full 10-year age statement — rare for a rye whiskey
Bottled at 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV) — well above standard rye proof
Batch H-04 is a one-time, non-repeatable release — each Barrel Proof Rye batch is unique
From the same acclaimed Barrel Proof line as the bourbon, with a devoted collector following
Limited allocation — batches sell out quickly
Product Details
Type
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Batch
H-04
Size
750mL
Proof / ABV
124.4 Proof (62.2% Alc. Vol.)
Age
10 Years
Filtration
Uncut, Unfiltered, Straight From the Barrel
Distillery
Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown/Louisville, Kentucky
Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "barrel proof" mean?
Barrel proof means the rye is bottled at the exact strength it reaches inside the barrel, with no water added to bring the proof down. Batch H-04 comes in at 124.4 proof (62.2% ABV), well above the standard 80-100 proof of most rye whiskeys.
Why does the proof change from batch to batch?
Because each batch is bottled straight from a unique group of barrels with no proofing water added, the natural cask strength — and therefore the final proof — varies from release to release. Batch H-04 is bottled at 124.4 proof, a proof specific to this batch alone.
How old is this rye?
Batch H-04 carries a full 10-year age statement, a notably long maturation for a rye whiskey and a hallmark of the Barrel Proof line.
Is this rye filtered?
No. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye is uncut and unfiltered, bottled exactly as it comes from the barrel to preserve its full natural flavor and viscosity.
How does this compare to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon?
Both come from the same uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel philosophy, but the rye mash bill delivers a spicier, more peppery profile compared to the caramel-and-oak-forward character of the bourbon.
Will Batch H-04 be released again?
No. Each Barrel Proof Rye batch is a one-time release. Once Batch H-04 sells out, it will not be replicated — future releases will carry different batch numbers, ages, and proofs.
