Crowned Heads and Heaven Hill: A Celebration of Craft and Flavor

A cool Friday evening on the deck called for a robust cigar and bourbon pairing. I started the night with a small pour of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, a bottle I’d picked up in Knoxville a couple of weeks ago. I’d been eager to try it, saving it for just the right relaxing evening.

The Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon is a distinctive release, crafted to emphasize transparency and showcase the artistry behind its production. Even the corn seed used in the mash bill was specifically selected for this bottling. With a mash bill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley, this bourbon leans heavier on wheat than most. Aged for six years and bottled at a bold 121 proof, it promised a memorable experience—and it delivered.

From the Glencairn Glass, enticing aromas of vanilla, oak, and white fruit wafted up, mingling with what I could only describe as gingerbread cookie dough—a seasonal suggestion, perhaps? A deep inhale delivered a gentle alcohol warmth to the nose. The first sip of the amber liquid opened with robust flavors of vanilla, oak, and nuts, followed by layers of molasses, apple, and pear. The finish was equally satisfying, with a pepper-tinged sweetness that lingered pleasantly on the palate.

After savoring the bourbon, I reached for the Crowned Heads Belgian Blue LE, a new release I’d been itching to try. It had been resting in my humidor for about five weeks, as I waited for the right pairing inspiration. Crowned Heads is among my favorite cigar brands, and the Belgian Blue didn’t disappoint.

This limited-edition cigar is truly special—only 2,000 boxes of 12 were produced. The 6x54 box-pressed Toro features a Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper over an Ecuadorian binder, with an intriguing filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. Impressively, 75% of the filler is comprised of ligero leaves, the strongest part of the tobacco plant, lending the cigar its bold character. It’s aptly named after a breed of Belgian cattle known for their strength and sculpted muscularity.

The Belgian Blue hit all the right notes. It opened with a pleasant peppery kick that quickly gave way to a medley of caramel, roasted nuts, and oak. Despite being full-bodied, it delivered a smooth, creamy smoke with no harshness. The cigar burned evenly and slowly, offering a delightful 1-hour-and-50-minute experience.

Perhaps it was the setting—a clear night sky, a whisper of warmth from the deck heater, and the stillness of the evening—but the pairing of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon and Crowned Heads Belgian Blue was remarkable. The richness of the bourbon beautifully complemented the cigar’s full-bodied complexity.

So enjoyable was the pairing that I immediately ordered more of the Belgian Blue cigars while they were still available. As for the bourbon, it’s an allocated release in Virginia, but I’ll keep an eye out for another bottle. The non-wheated Heaven Hill Grain to Glass expression remains on my wish list, too.

While I rarely purposefully repeat pairings, this one is worthy of an encore. That said, the Heaven Hill Wheated Bourbon undoubtedly has other cigars waiting to complement its unique profile, just as the Belgian Blue will pair beautifully with other fine bourbons. Exploring those possibilities will be a journey I’ll savor.

Cheers!