Black Maple Hill 11 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 700ml | 11 years aged | Kentucky straight bourbon | Limited revival release — the legend is back: Black Maple Hill 11 Year is part of Rare Character Whiskey Co.'s 2026 revival of one of bourbon's most storied sourced labels, restoring the brand to its Kentucky roots. Bottled "as originally bottled" at 95 proof, this is 11-year-old premium Kentucky bourbon — an age statement and a price point that made the original Black Maple Hill a cult icon in the 2000s.
Black Maple Hill was never a distillery — it was a sourced label, introduced in 2000, with early releases widely believed to include Stitzel-Weller wheated bourbon (thanks to Julian Van Winkle III's involvement), before bottling moved to Kentucky Bourbon Distillers and, later, Oregon's Stein Distillery. Rare Character — the independent bottler founded in 2020 by Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky — brought it home to Kentucky in July 2026 with a core lineup of this 11 Year, a 16 Year, and a NAS small batch, all at the original 95 proof. Expect toasted oak, dark brown sugar, vanilla bean, and orchard fruit, with silky caramel, candy apple, baking spice, and a long finish of aged oak, leather, and black pepper — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Tasting notes
Per retailer reports: toasted oak, dark brown sugar, vanilla bean, orchard fruit; silky caramel, candy apple, baking spices, citrus zest, seasoned wood; long finish of aged oak, leather, and black pepper.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 11-year age statement at 95 proof — the original revival spec, "as originally bottled"
- 2026 Rare Character revival — the storied label returns to Kentucky after a decade away
- Premium Kentucky-sourced whiskey from one of bourbon's most respected independent bottlers
- Limited, allocated release — the 2026 relaunch sold through fast at launch pricing
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a tasting glass — an 11-year, 95-proof bourbon is built for slow sipping. A splash of water coaxes out the candy-apple and citrus notes on the palate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Maple Hill a distillery?
No — it has always been a sourced label. The 2026 revival is bottled by Rare Character Whiskey Co. from premium Kentucky whiskey, with the specific source distillery undisclosed.
How is this different from the original Black Maple Hill?
Same philosophy — long-aged Kentucky bourbon at 95 proof — but bottled by Rare Character, returning the brand to Kentucky after its Oregon era (2014–2026).
Is the 11 Year different from the Small Batch?
Yes — the 11 Year carries an 11-year age statement; the Small Batch (red label) is a no-age-statement expression. Both are 95 proof.