Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
At a price of what seems to be an industry instruction all over the country of $79.99, which for me was a "walk-out price" of $86.69 with tax at Warehouse Wines last fall, it is indeed expensive. It is billed as "cask strength" and at 122.6 proof, that's strong enough for me. The label on the bottle says it was barreled in 1996, which would make it 11 years old, as I assume it was bottled in 2007.
That's quite young, especially to be costing $86.69, but we've got this "boutique" thing going on in the American whiskey business, the way cigars had it going on 10 years ago.
The bottle tag with the full story of the Beam's that work for the Heaven Hill Distillery mentions that Parker Beam carefully combs the warehouses for the "honey" barrels. I would say that my biggest hint to you all is to affirm that this bourbon is indeed most definitely reminiscent of very fine honey at times.
It is so hard to define the flavor profile on this bourbon, except to say that it is virtually unlimited. I have truly tasted no less than four, and possibly as many as six different flavors at times, including perhaps truffles. What this does not have a lot of is wood, most likely due to its relatively young age.
It does have a lot of sweet, candy like flavors, with enough spice and balance to provide a never ending series of guesses as to what one might be tasting. The finish is also never ending, and the warming effect is almost instant with each sip, coming up from the belly and spreading throughout the entire body.
This bourbon is rich, complex, full bodied, and ever changing. Although it is special, it "only" slips in at No. 9. It was very hard not to rate this above the now defunct Weller 19 year old, and even Booker's, but it loses a close decision to both. It does push Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish, down to No. 10.
The only drawback to Parker's Heritage Collection Bourbon is the $79.99 plus tax or shipping price tag. It seems that there is no variance of even a penny on the sticker price nationwide, so there must be a very tight agreement on that aspect.
For something only 11 years old, even at barrel proof, the price is steep and hard to afford. If you can, it's worth it. It's almost as if someone took the William Larue Weller 2005 version and married it with one or two of the George T. Stagg releases. This is expensive, but fascinating, and almost like drinking a meal, it's so full bodied, complex and flavorful.
For my new Top 25 List, see the sticky post.
That's quite young, especially to be costing $86.69, but we've got this "boutique" thing going on in the American whiskey business, the way cigars had it going on 10 years ago.
The bottle tag with the full story of the Beam's that work for the Heaven Hill Distillery mentions that Parker Beam carefully combs the warehouses for the "honey" barrels. I would say that my biggest hint to you all is to affirm that this bourbon is indeed most definitely reminiscent of very fine honey at times.
It is so hard to define the flavor profile on this bourbon, except to say that it is virtually unlimited. I have truly tasted no less than four, and possibly as many as six different flavors at times, including perhaps truffles. What this does not have a lot of is wood, most likely due to its relatively young age.
It does have a lot of sweet, candy like flavors, with enough spice and balance to provide a never ending series of guesses as to what one might be tasting. The finish is also never ending, and the warming effect is almost instant with each sip, coming up from the belly and spreading throughout the entire body.
This bourbon is rich, complex, full bodied, and ever changing. Although it is special, it "only" slips in at No. 9. It was very hard not to rate this above the now defunct Weller 19 year old, and even Booker's, but it loses a close decision to both. It does push Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish, down to No. 10.
The only drawback to Parker's Heritage Collection Bourbon is the $79.99 plus tax or shipping price tag. It seems that there is no variance of even a penny on the sticker price nationwide, so there must be a very tight agreement on that aspect.
For something only 11 years old, even at barrel proof, the price is steep and hard to afford. If you can, it's worth it. It's almost as if someone took the William Larue Weller 2005 version and married it with one or two of the George T. Stagg releases. This is expensive, but fascinating, and almost like drinking a meal, it's so full bodied, complex and flavorful.
For my new Top 25 List, see the sticky post.