Black Maple Hill 23 Year Old Premium Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml

23 years. 95 proof. Single barrel. Sourced and bottled by Julian Van Winkle III — the same hand behind Pappy Van Winkle — for the Black Maple Hill label under CVI Brands. One of the oldest commercially released American rye whiskeys in existence.

Black Maple Hill is a sourced label — the brand did not distill its own whiskey but instead enlisted Julian Van Winkle III to find and select exceptional aged barrels from Kentucky distilleries. Van Winkle's involvement brings the same discernment he applied to the Van Winkle family line: hand-selection from only the finest aging stock, with no compromise on quality. The Black Maple Hill releases bottled under his oversight achieved legendary status among American whiskey collectors.

The 23 Year Straight Rye is among the oldest rye whiskeys ever commercially bottled. American rye at 23 years is extraordinarily rare — most is consumed or blended long before reaching this age. The liquid is single barrel, meaning no two bottles in this release are precisely identical, and once the barrel is exhausted the expression is gone permanently. At 95 proof it is approachable enough to drink but structured enough to age further in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with the deep color of 23 years in oak.
• Nose: Elegant and bright — the initial sip reveals toasty oak and sweet dried fruit with a lively character that belies its extraordinary age.
• Palate: Delightfully complex — toasty oak and sweet dried fruit leading to a wonderfully smooth finish. The 23-year maturation has fully tamed the rye's grain assertiveness into elegance.
• Finish: Long and unfolding — spice and fruit evolving through a satisfying, complex close.

Specs

• Label: Black Maple Hill / CVI Brands
• Selected by: Julian Van Winkle III
• Style: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel
• Age: 23 years
• Proof: 95 (47.5% ABV)
• Size: 750ml

Browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who selected Black Maple Hill releases? Julian Van Winkle III — the grandson of Pappy Van Winkle and one of American bourbon's most respected palates — personally sourced and selected barrels for the Black Maple Hill label. His involvement transforms Black Maple Hill from a sourced label into a genuine Van Winkle family selection project.
• Why is 23-year rye so rare? Most American rye whiskey is consumed between 4 and 10 years old. Distilleries rarely commit barrels to extended aging beyond 15 years because the risk of over-oaking is high and the barrel space cost is significant. Finding commercially released rye at 23 years requires either a distillery that specifically planned for ultra-long aging or a sourcer with access to exceptional forgotten stock.
• Is Black Maple Hill still producing? Black Maple Hill has gone through multiple ownership and sourcing changes over the years. The releases bottled under Julian Van Winkle III's oversight are considered the definitive "classic era" Black Maple Hill expressions and are not being reproduced.
• Is the 23 Year Single Barrel Rye still available? In extremely limited quantities. Single barrel releases are finite by definition.