Rare Character Announces the Return of Black Maple Hill: Restoring a Legend to Its Kentucky Roots

LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rare Character proudly announces the official reintroduction of Black Maple Hill, one of the most enigmatic and revered names in American whiskey. With a renewed commitment to quality and authenticity, Rare Character is returning the brand to its spiritual home in Kentucky—honoring the heritage that first made it a cult favorite among bourbon enthusiasts.

“Black Maple Hill has always occupied a singular, almost mythical place in the bourbon world,” said Peter Nevenglosky, co-founder of Rare Character Whiskey Co. “For years, enthusiasts have looked back at the early Kentucky bottlings as benchmarks of the category. Our mission is to honor that legacy by sourcing exceptional Kentucky whiskey and ensuring the next chapter lives up to the reputation that made the brand legendary. We’re not simply reviving a name—we’re restoring the identity that helped shape the modern bourbon conversation.”

The Enigmatic History of Black Maple Hill

First introduced in 2000 by Paul Joseph of CVI Brands, Black Maple Hill was never a distillery, yet it quickly became one of bourbon’s most talked-about sourced labels. Early releases produced by Julian Van Winkle III—widely believed to include wheated bourbon from the famed Stitzel-Weller distillery—cemented its mystique among collectors. Bottling later moved to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (2009–2014), where well-aged Kentucky stocks, including releases up to 22 years old, deepened its cult following. As mature Kentucky inventory tightened, production shifted to Oregon in 2014, marking a departure from the Kentucky profile that defined its early acclaim. Through each transition, Black Maple Hill retained its reputation as a distinctive and influential name in modern bourbon history.

The First Phase: A Return to Kentucky Excellence

Rare Character’s revival centers on a renewed dedication to sourcing premium Kentucky whiskey—reconnecting the brand with the profile that built its reputation.

The initial phase of the relaunch introduces some core expressions:

Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 95 Proof as originally bottled
A vibrant, structured bourbon designed to showcase classic Kentucky character, with proof selected to highlight barrel depth and balance.
16-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 95 Proof as originally bottled
A return to the age-stated excellence that defined the brand’s most celebrated releases, crafted from rare, long-aged Kentucky stocks.
11-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon – 95 Proof as originally bottled
A return to the age-stated excellence that defined the brand’s most celebrated releases, crafted from rare, long-aged Kentucky stocks.

Together, these expressions signal a deliberate step back toward the quality and identity that made Black Maple Hill a sought-after name in the first place.

About Rare Character Whiskey

Rare Character Whiskey is a purveyor of fine American whiskey, focused on unique selections tailored to each of our customers and partners. Through special relationships with top distillers across the country, Rare Character has exclusive access to expressions that have never been released to the public.

Whether it’s through historic brand revivals such as Brook Hill, ultra premium and limited bottlings like Pride of Anderson County and Old Cassidy, or the fan favorite collectibles like The Single Barrel Series and The Exceptional Series, we’ve made a name for ourselves as providers of fine American whiskeys fit for any occasion.