Introduction Last year’s Grain-to-Glass releases from Heaven Hill really surprised me, especially the wheated and non-wheated bourbons — both turned out to be far more impressive than I remembered. Going into the 2025 lineup, I assumed I had picked up the standard Grain-to-Glass expressions again… only to discover that Heaven Hill actually released two parallel lines this year: The standard Grain-to-Glass series, and A First Edition Limited Release, fully matured in Chinquapin oak. What I have in hand is the First Edition Chinquapin non-wheated bourbon. And since the Chinquapin Wheated version was excellent, I’m genuinely excited to see how this one stacks up — and equally motivated to hunt down the non-Chinquapin bottles now that I know they exist. Nose The nose opens with an immediate hit of juicy, candy-coated red apple — sweet, a little tart, and surprisingly vibrant. Beneath that, a layer of charred, tannic oak develops, carrying a deeper, darker tone. As it opens further, the oak folds into notes of cinnamon-dusted pecans, with the char giving those pecans an extra roasted quality. Overall, the nose balances fruit, char, and warm spice with impressive clarity. Taste The palate begins with that same juicy red apple, bright and flavorful. It fades quickly, giving way to a noticeably dry and spicy mid-palate, revealing just how much rye is in this mash bill. Before the halfway point, the flavor shifts into roasted pecans, followed by a strong swell of tannic oak. It doesn’t tingle much at first, but as the taste progresses the spice intensifies. Toward the back half, the cinnamon finally kicks in — a warm, tongue-tingling spice — followed by a touch of citrus. True to the nose, the citrus is orange pith (not sweet, not bright, slightly bitter), and it works well with the drying oak and rye spice. Finish The finish actually starts with a brief return of that juicy red apple, softened by a touch of sweet honey — but this fades quickly as the rye asserts itself. From there, the finish becomes more tannic, but in the way of black tea leaves rather than pure oak. This moves into a warm layer of cinnamon, giving the finish a dry, mildly prickly close. It’s not extremely complex, but it is long, clean, and consistent with the high-rye structure. Conclusion Interestingly, this First Edition Chinquapin-matured non-wheated bourbon stands almost perfectly parallel to the wheated version in overall quality — which wasn’t something I expected. The bright, vivid apple character adds a distinct dimension that sets it apart and makes the pour honestly fun to explore. Despite the rye-heavy mash bill, it remains balanced and enjoyable: dry, spicy, tannic, but also unexpectedly fruity at key moments. Even as a limited release, it’s still findable at retail. At $120–$130 SRP, it’s not inexpensive, but the craftsmanship and uniqueness justify the price. Meanwhile, the standard (non-Chinquapin) 2025 Grain-to-Glass bottles appear to be trending closer to $100, which is fantastic news — especially now that I’m determined to track those down as well. Overall, this is a well-built, distinctive bourbon that comfortably earns its place next to the wheated expression. Highly recommended at retail for anyone who enjoys exploring bourbon profiles shaped by rye, unique oak, and standout fruit notes.