Bob Dylan recently announced the debut of Heaven’s Door, a collection of super-premium craft American Whiskeys. In partnership with Spirits Investment Partnership (“SIP”), Heaven’s Door is Dylan’s first and only brand partnership and will be an ever-evolving portfolio of handcrafted whiskeys in collaboration with different master distillers and blenders from across the country.
SIP CEO Marc Bushala got the idea for Heaven’s Door when read that Dylan had registered a trademark for “Bootleg Whiskey” in 2015. Through a mutual friend, a meeting between the two was arranged (proving once again that its good to have friends in high places). They developed the idea of creating a whiskey collection that would be the perfect blend of art and craft, incorporating Dylan’s artwork in the packaging.
“Rather than make a single whiskey or work with one master distiller, we thought it would be far more interesting to work with various master distillers and blenders to make whiskeys that would each have their own unique signature,” Bushala said. “By working with different whiskey artisans for each new expression, the portfolio would be more diverse and eclectic.”
“We both wanted to create a collection of American whiskeys that, in their own way, tell a story,” added Dylan. “I’ve been traveling for decades, and I’ve been able to try some of the best spirits that the world of whiskey has to offer. This is great whiskey. I am happy to be partnering with Marc and our entire team as we bring Heaven’s Door to the public.”
Heaven’s Door’s first three expressions include a Straight Tennessee Bourbon (a unique mash bill from Tennessee, it utilizes 30% “small grains” to complement the character imparted from spending almost seven years in new American Oak barrels), a Double Barrel Whiskey (comprised of a blend of three whiskeys, its finishing process utilizes hand toasted, new American Oak barrels for a secondary aging for a year), and a Straight Rye Whiskey finished in “Cigar” Barrels from Vosges, France. The suggested retail price range is $49.99- $79.99.
“The whiskeys had to be unique, uncompromising in quality and center stage” says Ryan Perry, who leads whiskey development for Heaven’s Door. “We weren’t restricted by deadlines, budget or a particular taste profile. Working with master distillers like Jordan Via enabled us to establish creative collaboration as a foundational principle of the brand.”
Heaven’s Door bottles feature Dylan’s distinctive iron gates that he created in his studio, Black Buffalo Ironworks, from objects found on farms and scrap yards across America.
Complementing the mainstay portfolio, next year Heaven’s Door will introduce The Bootleg Series, showcasing Dylan’s paintings on proprietary bottles. The Bootleg Series will offer rare whiskey stocks and special blends, available in very limited quantities.
In 2019, Heaven’s Door will open its distillery and brand experience center in a 140-year-old church in Nashville, the city where Dylan recorded four albums.
