Heaven Hill 90th Anniversary
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 3.75/5
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Heaven Hill
Release Date: November 2025
Proof: 107
Age: 9 Years, 8 Months
Color: Chestnut
MSRP: $130 (2026)
Mashbill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose on this Heaven Hill 90th Annivversary opens sweet and rich with a strong vanilla pudding note right away. From there, more complexity starts to build with sweet red fruit, cherry, cinnamon, and molasses. As it sits, chocolate, caramel, a touch of maple syrup, and even a bit of seasoned firewood start to show up. The nose really gives the impression that this is going to be a special pour.
The mouthfeel on the palate is light and juicy, which is a bit surprising given how rich the nose is. The flavor leans into red fruit and turns into a vanilla cherry cola profile that sticks throughout the sip. There are also hints of darker fruit like grape and blackberry, along with warm vanilla and aged oak. At times, there’s even a subtle Juicy Fruit gum note in the background. The palate is very enjoyable, though a bit more straightforward than the nose suggests.
The finish flows almost seamlessly from the palate, to the point where it’s hard to separate the two. Sweet oak and that vanilla cherry cola flavor linger nicely, and occasionally a bit of blackberry shows up again. It can feel slightly one-note, but fortunately it’s a really good note, so it works in the bourbon’s favor.
Overall, Heaven Hill 90th Anniversary is a very good bourbon that checks a lot of the classic bourbon boxes. The nose is complex and exciting, while the palate and finish are simpler but still very enjoyable. It’s clean, sweet, and easy to drink, making it a great bottle for introducing someone to bourbon—though it’s a bit high-end for that role.
The biggest question comes down to MSRP and the unlikely chance to find it on sale. At full price, some drinkers may expect a more complex or special-occasion profile, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a well-made and very enjoyable pour. If this were a regular shelf release, it would be an easy bottle to keep on hand.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
I mainly got one note. Vanilla pudding. Slightly sweet, pleasantly rich, and full bodied.
With just a touch of maple syrup and seasoned firewood.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is light and juicy. Surprisingly the palate actually reminds me a bit of the Juicy Fruit gum.
Very subtle, complemented by warm vanilla and aged oak.
THE FINISH:
The finish is really just a long continuation of the taste, and the transition is so seamless I initially thought I just wasn't able to identify the finish.
Which mostly just works in its favor because while the palate is pretty single note it is very good.
BUY OR PASS?
I am a big fan of this pour. It's clean, good, and checks all the “Bourbon” boxes. Honestly this would be a perfect “Introduce someone to bourbon” pour. It is a bit high end for that purpose.
If this was a regular release I would look to keep one on the shelf.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
This one is really nice. Sweet red fruit, cinnamon, molasses, cherry, and vanilla all show up right away.
There’s also an earthy note that reminds me of the smell of strawberry leaves, which is kind of unique.
As it opens up, I also get some chocolate and caramel. The nose definitely smells like something special and fairly complex.
THE TASTE:
The red fruit comes through strong and turns into a vanilla cherry cola kind of flavor.
I also get some darker fruit like grape and blackberry. After a bit, it leans more into oak, but it never gets too strong or overpowering.
THE FINISH:
Sweet oak, and that vanilla cherry cola flavor hangs around, which I really like.
Sometimes the blackberry shows up again on the finish too.
At times it feels a little one-note, but thankfully it’s a note that tastes good.
BUY OR PASS?
This is a really good pour, and the presentation and anniversary theme are a 10/10. I just wish it drank more like a true special occasion bourbon.
The nose makes you think you’re about to get something amazing, but the palate and finish are more basic than expected. Still good—just not quite as special as the bottle makes you hope.
