Heaven Hill

Travel Distilled tells the story of the Heaven Hill Distillery of Bardstown, Kentucky, from its founding to its role today with many famous brands to its name.

Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig Brand

The Founding of Heaven Hill

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., founded in 1935 by the Shapira family, is a private, family-owned and operated American distillery headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky. The company was established shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in the United States, making it one of the oldest and largest independent, family-owned bourbon distilleries in the country.

The Beam Connection

The original name of the distillery was “Old Heavenhill Springs,” and it was founded by several investors, including a prominent distiller, Joseph L. Beam, and a member of the Shapira family. As the company developed, the five brothers of the Shapira family bought out the other investors, and Joe Beam remained as Master Distiller, along with his youngest son, Harry. Descendants of the Shapira brothers own and operate the company today.

Heaven Hill Five Brothers Bar and Kitchen — Heaven Hill’s Five Brothers Bar and Kitchen

Heaven Hill’s Flagship Bourbons

Heaven Hill’s flagship bourbon labels, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig, have been central to its success. The company initially focused on providing bulk whiskey for third parties on a basis of futures, where a buyer would purchase fresh whiskey to be held in Heaven Hill’s warehouses until the buyer paid the government tax to have it released. Over the years, Heaven Hill has expanded its portfolio, acquiring brands or obtaining import rights for gins, malt whiskey, vodkas, and other drinks.

Heaven Hill’s Fire

In 1996, Heaven Hill’s production plant was almost completely destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of 90,000 barrels (approximately 7.7 million gallons) of bourbon. Despite this setback, the company rebuilt and continued to grow, becoming the largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier in the United States.

Heaven Hill’s Famous Brands

Some of Heaven Hill's Brands — Some of Heaven Hill’s Brands

Today, Heaven Hill is known for its wide range of products, including Evan Williams Bourbon, Deep Eddy Vodka, Lunazul Tequila, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Burnett’s Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers Brandy, Carolan’s Irish Cream, and Admiral Nelson’s Rums. The company has retained its commitment to independence and family-ownership, grounded in a mission and core values suited to building for the long term.