Elijah Craig Launches Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in Limited Markets

BARDSTOWN, KY – Elijah Craig, a leading premium Kentucky Bourbon, today announced the launch of Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. The line extension affords experimenting whiskey fans the opportunity to challenge their palates with a new extra-aged Rye offering from the award-winning Elijah Craig family of Bourbons.



Elijah Craig Rye is made as a traditional American Straight Rye Whiskey with 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley. This combination of grains, which relies heavily on corn as the secondary grain rather than a higher percentage of rye, has been the primary Rye mashbill used by Kentucky Bourbon distilleries since taking over virtually all American Rye production post-Prohibition; the same mashbill directly responsible for the Rye resurgence seen today. Extra-aging is a tenet of the Elijah Craig portfolio, and Elijah Craig Rye is no exception. The resulting taste carries a spicy sharpness from the rye balanced with sweetness from the corn. Packaged in the iconic Elijah Craig bottle, the Straight Rye is distinguished by new bottle decoration, face, side and neck labels with green features.



“Elijah Craig was a larger-than-life innovator and the new Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey celebrates his bold reputation,” said Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “Heaven Hill Distillery has the privilege within its vast inventory and distilling expertise to create American Whiskeys consumers desire. Elijah Craig Rye celebrates the heritage of Rye Whiskey in Kentucky and adds another quality option to an award-winning lineup of specially crafted whiskeys.”



Heaven Hill Distillery’s 84-year history of distilling and its 1.6 million barrel inventory of aging American Whiskey has allowed for the regular production of major styles of American Whiskey, such as Rye, even as they were out of vogue with consumers. These years of steadfast attention to detail give Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, as well as the Elijah Craig Bourbons, the right balance of flavor and smoothness.



Elijah Craig was known for his pioneering spirit, honored through the making of Elijah Craig Bourbon and, now, Rye. Having founded his own distillery in 1789, Elijah Craig is credited as the first to char oak barrels to make Bourbon. The Baptist preacher also founded many businesses in and around Georgetown, Kentucky, as well as a school, which still exists today as Georgetown College. This heritage and his long-standing impact on the community lives on today through the award-winning lineup of Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and now Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.



With an SRP of $29.99, Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey will first launch in the limited markets of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Oregon in January 2020.



About Elijah Craig Small Batch



‍Elijah Craig Small Batch bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, it is complemented by Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in the portfolio.



First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body and rich flavor. The Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.



ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.6 million barrels aging in 58 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection.Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.