At Heaven Hill Distillery, being family-owned isn’t just how we got our start; it’s our legacy that’s persisted for 90 years. For generations, we’ve honored that legacy by crafting quality Whiskey and building strong partnerships with like-minded, family-owned businesses. By partnering with two such businesses, we created a new line of products and crafted Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, a representation of our shared commitment to quality, transparency, and tradition that starts with the seed.
Taking that mission one step further, we’re proud to announce our Family Farms First initiative. This program supports independent, family-owned farms and deepens our investment in the communities that help bring our Whiskey to your glass. Keep reading to learn more about how Heaven Hill Grain to Glass is giving back.
Where Family & Farming Come First
We believe that quality Whiskeys come from quality ingredients. And quality ingredients come from long-standing partnerships that were built on handshakes, not contracts. Through Heaven Hill Grain to Glass, we’ve relied on trusted relationships that allow us to oversee every step of the Whiskey-making process, from the selection of the seed to the final pour, ensuring unmatched quality, care, and transparency.
That process begins with Beck’s Hybrids, established in 1937 and the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S. With a shared history of family legacy and a commitment to quality, each year, our teams work hand-in-hand to select the ideal non-GMO corn varietal for Central Kentucky soil: one that yields the highest quality corn for crafting exceptional Whiskey.
“Good, healthy corn makes good bourbon,” says Sonny Beck, CEO of Beck’s Hybrids. To carry that promise forward, we follow the seeds’ journey to Peterson Farms, a Kentucky-based family-owned business with thirteen generations of farming heritage and a reputation for producing premium grains. In fact, some of those grains are grown right across the street from our rickhouses in Bardstown.
Family farms like the Petersons’ are the lifeblood of our country. They account for 97% of all farms in the U.S., contributing not only to the production of Whiskey but also to the livelihood of millions of people. Through Family Farms First, we’re supporting these communities across the country. As a part of this initiative, we’ve partnered with Farm Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting family farms in times of crisis.
Protecting Family Farms
Farm Rescue founder Bill Gross grew up on a farm in North Dakota, but financial constraints led him down a different path. As a Boeing 747 Captain flying across the country, he watched the rural landscape change—fewer farms, fewer families, fewer communities. His father had once wondered aloud what would happen to their farm if something ever went wrong. That question stuck, and in time, Bill answered it with Farm Rescue.
Farm Rescue is the only nonprofit of its kind, offering hands-on assistance to farm families during times of crisis. Their mission: to ensure family farms and ranches thrive for generations to come. “When you truly make a difference for these families, it’s an incredible feeling,” says longtime volunteer Ervin Geisler.
One such family is the Woodleys. In 2023, Grant Woodley underwent emergency brain surgery while his wife Nicole was diagnosed with a rare cancer. With both battling serious health issues, they turned to Farm Rescue to help manage their family farm. Volunteers stepped in to harvest their soybean crop in Iowa.
Stories like this are why we’re proud to call Farm Rescue a partner. For every bottle of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass sold, a portion will be donated to their organization, with the total contribution reaching up to $100,000 annually.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass was born from the belief that great Whiskey starts with exceptional ingredients grown by passionate farmers. That starts with the seed, and that’s why we’re proud to support the people who nurture and tend the soil. Our collaboration with Farm Rescue is a natural extension of that mission. Together, we’re committed to ensuring that family farms don’t just survive, but thrive.
The 2025 editions of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass will be released throughout the year in May, June, and September. Look for the first release, our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, in stores now. And remember, every bottle sold goes back to where it all began: a hard-working family farm.
Learn more about Heaven Hill Grain to Glass here.
