94: Rabbit Hole Distillery

The Bourbon Lens Crew had the privilege of taking a private tour of the Rabbit Hole Distillery in Downtown Louisville recently. We sat down with the Brand’s Digital Ambassador, Adam Edwards, to discuss the history of the distillery, its founder Kaveh Zamanian, and the spirits they craft. We discuss the ultra exclusive Founder’s Collection and its first offering, Boxergrail Rye Whiskey at Cask Strength as well as future plans for the brand. And we discuss, maybe for the first time publicly, the Heigold single barrel program which will launch in 2021. This program will initially be limited to only 10 barrels, but will grow each year.  We thank Rabbit Hole for reaching out to us and hosting us for this podcast, we encourage you to check them out the next time you are in Louisville or find their bourbon on a shelf.

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Scott, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

About Rabbit Hole Distillery:

Distilling is baked in Louisville's culture. Rabbit Hole is at the city's creative heart, the NULU district, the nexus of old and new, where artists and entrepreneurs pursue their vision without budgeting for regret. We could be nowhere else. From grain to bottle, inside Rabbit Hole, you’ll witness the creation of modern spirits. Because those spirits don’t come to life until they’re shared, the easy sociability of Rabbit Hole’s tasting bars and event center, the Over Look, complete the experience.

About Founder, Kaveh Zamanian:

As with all good stories, this one starts with love. While living in Chicago, Kaveh met Heather, a Louisville native, who introduced him to Bourbon. A Scotch devotee, he fell in love with her and Bourbon at the same time. He soon entrenched himself in the study of Bourbon and, with Heather by his side, ventured down a rabbit hole he may have never dared alone. 

About Adam Edwards:

Adam, with his over 15 years experience in the spirits industry, has extensive knowledge on the history and depth of fine wines and whiskies. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, as well as a Certified Bourbon Steward, Adam joined Rabbit Hole distillery as a Tour Guide Educator in 2018. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rabbit Hole created the innovative title of Digital Brand Ambassador (something never before seen in the Bourbon industry), which is especially suited for Adam’s personality and passion for American Bourbon Whiskey.

The Spirits:

Cavehill - Our signature four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a homage to generations of proud Louisville distillers. Distinct and unorthodox, this expression sets a new standard for American whiskey while building on the legacy these great bourbon pioneers created as they traveled down their own whiskey rabbit holes. Crafted from a unique mash that couples malted grains with corn, this superpremium bourbon combines depth with style. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Heigold - Our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, made with a high percentage of imported German rye, pays tribute to an immigrant maker. Strong and bold, this offering honors Christian Heigold, a German stonecutter who settled in Louisville prior to 1850 and went down a rabbit hole of his own. Taken with the hope of this new land, he carved ornate symbols of his patriotism on the facade of his landmark home. This super-premium bourbon, composed of 25% malted rye, places a distinct twist on a timeless recipe. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Boxergrail - Our Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, composed of 95% rye, celebrates Louisville’s rich boxing heritage. Here, local fighters, emerging from neighborhood gyms, have followed a path down a boxing rabbit hole to become prizefighting champions. Bold and unexpected, this whiskey reveals a character worthy of the title. This super-premium rye whiskey adds malted barley to its mash bill to present a velvety mouthfeel, while subtle spice and brown sugar notes distinguish it from the rest. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Founder’s Collection Boxergrail - Boxergrail Founder’s Collection elevates Rabbit Hole’s award winning Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey to a level of sublime. This special release showcases how cask and whiskey come together at its natural strength to create a dimensional rye with an incredible spectrum of flavor. Comprised of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, Boxergrail Founder’s Collection, like all whiskies in the Rabbit Hole portfolio, has a low entry proof of 110 for deeper complexity. This cask- strength offering is 114.6 proof/57.3% ABV. The experience of Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Founder’s Collection Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Cask Strength begins with an intriguing nose of butterscotch, mint, dill and citrus. On the palate, rich flavors of caramel, black pepper, vanilla and herbaceous spice envelope the palate before yielding to an enduring finish of black tea, sweet vanilla and citrus. 

Dareringer - Our Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon epitomizes Kaveh’s wife, Heather. Elegant, sweet, and charming, she is the muse behind our brand. A Louisville native and bourbon enthusiast, she lured Kaveh away from his beloved Scotch and down a rabbit hole he may have never dared alone. Bottled at 93 Proof / 46.5% ABV with a Mash Bill of 68% Corn, 18% Wheat, and 14% Malted Barley.  This Wheated Bourbon is finished in PX Sherry Casks. 

Bespoke Gin - A reimagined classic. Fashioned in Kentucky Rye Barrels, it offers a new experience that awakens the senses. We start with the finest London Dry Gin then finish it in the same hand-selected barrels we use to age our award-winning Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Boxergrail. This process mellows the gin and adds a hint of spice while tinting this luxurious spirit with an eye-catching hue that shimmers gold in your glass. But before you sip our Bespoke Gin, a word of advice: let go. Let go of everything you know about gin and allow yourself to be fully immersed in all the wonders of this one-of-a-kind spirit. Aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and elderflower evoke Kentucky rick houses in the summer, while notes of juniper, nutmeg, and lemongrass bring you to London in the spring. Coupled with a bespoke bottle suited for any occasion, this gin is smooth enough to be sipped neat, but equally fit for your own distinct cocktails.

Photos Courtesy of Rabbit Hole Distillery