Smokeye Hill Whiskey, bourbon inspired by the spirit of the American Southwest, announced the release of its first rye whiskey. 

The Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey will be available for purchase in October 2025 and was made with blue corn in the mashbill. The limited-edition release, with fewer than 1,400 cases produced, stays true to Smokeye Hill’s small-batch craft origins.

Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey is crafted from a proprietary four-grain mashbill of rye, heirloom blue corn, yellow corn, and malted barley. Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then barreled and matured in Colorado Springs at 6,100 feet in 30-gallon American white oak casks charred to Nos. 2, 3, and 4 for added depth, complexity, and character.

Colorado’s fluctuating climate naturally accelerates the aging process, as the barrels expand and contract with hot summers and cold winters, unlocking layers of depth and character, revealing richer notes.

“Our Barrel Proof Rye spends five years aging to develop depth and complexity, before a percentage of our flagship bourbon is blended in, ensuring that the signature Smokeye Hill profile shines through,” Smokeye Hill Founder Blake Johns said in a news release. “This rye, like our bourbons, is about creating something fresh and distinct, while honoring the craftsmanship and character of Smokeye Hill’s Southwestern heritage.”

Smokeye Hill’s identity is deeply rooted in Arizona, where heirloom blue corn has long been a beloved staple in everyday cooking and remains a through line across all Smokeye Hill’s products – a nod to the traditions that shaped its identity from the start. The name itself comes from a hill on the Johns family ranch, where moonshine was once made during Prohibition. Local officers with ties to the land would tie bells to the cattle as a warning sign for upcoming raids, an origin that inspired the bottle’s unique bell shape.

The final proof of the Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Rye will vary slightly by batch, ranging from 131.2 to 131.7. It will be available for a suggested retail price of $89.99 in select stores across Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, Washington and Texas, with nationwide online availability through Seelbachs, Spirits Network, and Keg N Bottle.

Smokeye Hill’s award-winning craftsmanship has already earned national recognition: its Barrel Proof Bourbon was named the 2024 ASCOT Awards Bourbon of the Year and Best Small Batch Bourbon of the Year.

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2024 Ranked

ABOUT SMOKEYE HILL

Smokeye Hill Whiskey is an award-winning bourbon that embodies the unrelenting spirit of the American Southwest. Crafted by the family-owned Hazelwood Spirits Company, Smokeye Hill Whiskey is rooted in heritage, evident in the profile that was inspired by Founder Blake Johns’ passion for heirloom blue corn, a staple grain in the southwest. For more information, visit www.smokeyehill.com.