Rabbit Hole Bourbon

Rabbit Hole
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
4 Grain
95 Proof

I was watching Kaveh’s Bourbon Bunker while enjoying a beautiful autumn day, and noticed how the light was shining through our Japanese Red Maple tree. Since I had this bottle of Rabbit Hole Bourbon nearby, I figured I would take advantage of the photo op.

After Pernod Ricard acquired a majority share in Rabbit Hole back in 2019, the distillery rebranded their products, with a name change to honor influential figures and places in Louisville, as well as in the life of founder Kaveh Zamanian. I have always been a bit confused by the naming of Rabbit Hole Bourbon and Rye, so I’m just going to take a minute to clarify that for myself. You all are welcome to come along!

Rabbit Hole Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys

Right now there are four whiskeys in the main Rabbit Hole lineup:

Cavehill: The Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey pictured is what has become Cavehill. The mash bill is: 70% Corn, 10% Malted Wheat, 10% Honey Malted Wheat & 10% Malted Barley. 95 proof.

Boxergrail: This whiskey was originally named simply Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley. 95 proof.

Dareringer: This finished bourbon was originally named simply Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks. Mash Bill: 68% Corn, 18% Wheat, 14% malted Barley. Finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Casks. 93 proof.

Heigold: A traditional 3 grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was added to the line at the time of the name changes. Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 25% Malted German Rye, 5% Malted Barley. 95 proof.

Rabbit Hole also has also recently released the first whiskey in their “Founder’s Collection“, Boxergrail Cask Strength. For this release, they selected seven barrels from their 6 year old stock. The release is limited to 1,315 bottles. They also produce Bespoke Gin, which is finished in Kentucky Rye barrels, and Liddel Vodka, a wheat vodka.

So that clears it up for me, finally! All I had to do was sit down for a minute and take a look at it. Some cool things come to light, now.

Some cool things

First, on my bottle (I am assuming they still do this after the rebranding) they put the name of the cooperage on the label – Kelvin Cooperage. That’s really cool since we all know how important the barrels are to the final flavor of whiskey.

Second, this Four Grain bourbon contains two different types of malted wheat. It is fairly uncommon to see wheat used as a secondary grain instead of rye (Maker’s Mark, Pappy, Larceny, Weller, Wilderness Trail all have “wheated” bourbons, for example), and even more uncommon to see malted wheat used. Likewise, while Heigold uses the more traditional secondary grain, rye, it is uncommon to see malted rye used in a bourbon.

All of Rabbit Hole’s whiskeys are put into toasted and charred barrels at 110 proof. Each batch is 15 barrels or fewer, and non-chill filtered.

Now we all know about Rabbit Hole‘s main whiskey line! Cheers!🥃

Read our review of Angel’s Envy Bourbon Finished in Mizunara Oak Casks.