Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye, released in September 2025 as the brand’s first-ever barrel proof rye, has been named “Whisky of the Year” for 2025 by American publication Whisky Advocate — the top spot on the magazine’s annual Top 20 list.
It’s the first time in the ranking’s history that an American rye whiskey has earned the top honor, a symbolic moment for a category currently enjoying a strong revival. The award-winning batch, bottled uncut and non-chill filtered straight from the barrel, was aged 12 years and 3 months and comes in at 108 proof (54% ABV). Tasters noted baking spice, molasses and orchard fruit on the nose, followed by cinnamon, nutmeg, butterscotch and peppery rye spice on the palate.
This marks the third time in the past decade that a Heaven Hill product from the Elijah Craig/Larceny family has won the title, following Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon (2017) and Larceny Barrel Proof (2020).
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Source: Heaven Hill Brands