Bourbon

2017 Parker’s Heritage Collection Bourbon Review

Photo courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery


Parker’s Heritage Collection (PHC), Heaven Hill Distillery’s most anticipated annual whiskey release, is already hitting shelves.  The 2017 release is an 11-year-old single barrel bourbon bottled at 122 proof.  The barrels were chosen from the late Master Distiller Parker Beam’s favorite warehouse location in Deatsville, Kentucky.  This is similar to the 10-year-old single barrel PHC release a few years ago, only with more age and a much higher proof.

Beam passed away earlier this year after a years long battle with ALS, so it is fitting that Heaven Hill honored his legacy with a whiskey Beam would have described as “just good bourbon.”  This edition, like the last few, will see $10 from every bottle sold donated to the ALS Association.

The nose on this whiskey is stunning, showing hints of dark caramel, oak spice, vanilla and dried fruit.  It’s high proof doesn’t close off the nose, so water doesn’t need to be added to fully appreciate the contained aromas.  The entry is spiced toffee and dark fruit, followed by vanilla and more spice.  Sun-baked tobacco and oak appear on the backend.  Though oakier than the aforementioned 10-year-old release, this botting is NOT overoaked.  The long, bittersweet finish features hints of burnt sugar, wood smoke, and oak spice.

It is very rare for me to describe a whiskey as flawless, but that’s how this year’s Parker’s Heritage Collection bottling comes across.  Like its younger sibling from a few years back, his 11-year-old is firing on all cylinders.  I do wish this was a barrel-proof release, but 122 proof is close enough.  A beautiful bourbon at a reasonable price, this one comes highly recommended. 9/10

HeavenHill.com
Thanks to Heaven Hill for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Old Forester Statesman Bourbon Review


When the trailer for Kingsman: The Golden Circle debuted online, I literally jumped for joy.  Kingsman was an insane thrill ride.  It’s sort a of 007 on speed all the while winking to the audience.  The sequel, which opens in theatres this Friday, looks to be even wilder.

Movie tie-ins are nothing new.  Sometimes they seemed forced, but every now and then they’re done right.  In the first film, the cover for the secret organization was a tailor’s shop.  In the new film, their American counterpart’s cover: a Kentucky bourbon distillery.  The filmmakers teamed up with none other than Old Forester to create a quality bourbon that would fit right in with the over-the-top world of The Kingsman.

Not that the bourbon is over-the-top.  Well, maybe a little.  This ain’t the Old Forester you’re used to.

The nose is notably spicier than the standard Old Forester.  There is lots of oak spice, which makes me think a lot of the barrels for this release were pulled from upper warehouse floors.  Some hot cocoa, vanilla extract and caramel balance out that spice.  On entry, a sort of spiced vanilla custard, the kind topped with ground cinnamon, plays strongly and is complimented by orange zest.  Some baking spice and a hint of leather on the midpalate add more complexity.  The finish is long, with orange dreamsicle and mint lingering.

Old Forester set out to make a whiskey that balanced spice and heat, and they’ve succeeded.  The volume’s turned up from the standard Old Forester flavor profile, but is still built around the distillery’s DNA.  The whiskey is both familiar and new.  I know what I’m sneaking into the theatre when I watch this film.  7.5/10

Oldforester.com

Rebel Yell Single Barrel (2017) Bourbon Review

Photo courtesy of Luxco.


The second release of Rebel Yell Single Barrel is already on shelves.  It launched in 2016 and quickly became one of my favorite bourbons released that year.  A 10-year-old, 100 proof wheated bourbon for about $60- seriously, what’s not to like?

As I just mentioned, Rebel Yell Single Barrel is a wheated bourbon.  That means the producers use wheat as the secondary grain instead of the more traditional rye.  Speaking of producers… though Luxco is currently building a distillery in Bardstown, they are still sourcing their whiskey from other producers.  In the case of most of Luxco’s whiskies, that source would most likely be Heaven Hill.

My review sample is from barrel 504315, which was filled in May 2006.  I said it before and I’ll say it again: kudos to parent company Luxco for adding this information to the label.

I’m happy to report the quality of last year’s release remains.  Big aromas of grilled sweet corn, caramelized sugar and vanilla fill the glass.  Slight hints of cinnamon and fresh brioche follow.  On the palate, classic bourbon notes are showcased – vanilla cream, cornbread, and cinnamon. A touch of leather and oak tannins lightly coat the tongue in the back palate.  The finish is long and somewhat sweet, with notes of spiced corn and caramel.

I enjoy bourbons of many walks of life.  Lately I’ve come to consider 8 to 12 years to be my sweet spot in terms of a bourbon’s age.  Heaven Hill’s 10-year-old Parker’s Heritage Collection from a couple of years back is pretty much a flawless bourbon for my tastes.  Barrel Bourbon Batch 005 was aged for eight years and still lingers in my memory.  Rebel Yell Single Barrel, though a different mash bill, hits on all cylinders.  It is extremely well-balanced and delivers a wonderful display of flavors.  8.5/10

Rebelyellbourbon.com

Thanks to Luxco for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.