Heaven's Door

Heaven's Door whiskey was first launched in 2018 by Bob Dylan and Marc Bushala, who founded Angel’s Envy Bourbon. In 2015, Dylan trademarked the name “Bootleg Whiskey”, referencing a series of recordings that featured previously unreleased material from Dylan’s long musical career. Bushala became aware of the registration and approached Dylan about a drinks partnership.

To date, Heaven’s Door has released three core expressions: Straight Rye Whiskey, Double Barrel Whiskey and Tennessee Straight Bourbon along with a special edition of its 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon. The whiskeys were fashioned by Ryan Perry, Head of Whiskey Development and Master Distiller Jordan Via at Heaven’s Door Spirits. Liquid is currently sourced from various distilleries, but there has been an intention to open a distillery in a converted 160 year old church in Nashville - however this was supposed to open in fall of 2020 and the project is still up in the air.

Each bottle features artwork of sculptures of metal gates that were made at Dylan’s art studio, Black Buffalo Ironworks. According to Dylan, the gates were constructed from random metal objects he picked up from farms and junkyards and include “everything from farm equipment, children’s toys, kitchen utensils and antique firearms” to “chains, cogs axes and wheels.”

Dylan was reluctant to use his name as a selling tool for the brand, and it took a while to get his acceptance to have his signature anywhere on the bottle.

The mashbill here is 95% rye and 5% malted barley, aged for around 4 years initially in new oak before a period of finishing in toasted Voges oak barrels - from a forest in France that borders Germany, the barrels mainly for aging wine, predominently whites.

It's suspected this is sourced from MGP in Indiana, and there is a herbal note similar to dill which MGP is very much known for. There's a hint of chili flakes and charred caramel, with notes of cherry stones and concentrated raisins. The finish isn't huge but does linger, and this will certainly make a good Old Fashioned or Manhattan!