Heaven Hill Distillery's latest innovation brings their acclaimed toasted barrel finishing technique to their rye whiskey portfolio. The finishing process, developed through a unique partnership with Independent Stave Company. The custom toasting protocol involves nearly an hour-long process followed by a precise flash of heat, creating what Heaven Hill's Master Distiller Conor O'Driscoll describes as the perfect marriage of toast and char. This method preserves delicate flavor compounds that would otherwise be destroyed in traditional charring while still maintaining compliance with federal aging requirements.