Parker's Heritage Collection 2010, 10 year, No. 14. . . .

Joined Sep 2003
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Puerto Rico/NYC
This is the 4th Edition of this annual release, first debuted in 2007 with three different proof bottlings, of which I got to try two. The two of the 1st Edition which I got to try were quite special, and stand at Nos. 2 and 10 on the All-Time Bloofingtonian Top 25 of Bourbon. After throwing the crap up against the wall and seeing which stuck, the distillery settled down to an annual release in ONE proof, of a very fine 10 year old bourbon whiskey.

While recent economic woes have prevented me from trying certain new bourbons and ryes, dating back for at least four or five years, occasional good fortunes have put some extremely good bottles in my cabinet, and the 2010 Parker's Heritage was no exception. Oak, raisins, figs, Concord grape wine, Welch's grape juice, I can't possibly name all the flavors in this bourbon. Thick, medium to full-bodied, sweet but with a delicious tang to balance the whole equation, I can't give a very detailed description of this latest release. At 127.8 proof, you might never guess it if you didn't wind up realizing you were pretty hammered about half an hour in to the experience. It's simply too EASY to drink!!!

But perhaps because of the indefinable nature of some of the flavors, perhaps because finding my palate fully prepared can be so hard, or maybe just because it's still not quite good enough to garner Hall Of Fame (Top 10) honors, I can't do any better than place this one at No. 14 on my all-time list. Do not let that discourage you. Run out and get a----, . . .

TWO BOTTLES, run out and get three bottles of this really quick, because you never know what next year's release will bring, or whether or not you'll have any money then. But if you can find it, run out and get four bottles right NOWWWWWWW!!!

That's because this label is something serious. Whoever is presiding over this annual release, and I would presume it's none other than Parker Beam Hissef, is doing the RIGHT THING. They have a signature flavor profile which is unlike any other bourbon that's ever come down the pike, and it's GOOD!!! It's GREAT!!! I've tried 105-110 bourbons in the past 11 years, and this just made No. 14. That speaks for itself. No, it's not Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, it's only ALMOST as good as that, so close the difference doesn't matter. Yes, Average Joe might not be able to afford it. But if Average Joe did some extra snow shoveling this winter, get yourself at least one bottle. And follow this release year after year. I didn't get to try 2008 and 2009, but I'll bet they were great.

The new Top 25 Bloofingtonian Bourbon List of AWL THYME.

Top 25 Bourbon List[center:2f0etqvx][/center:2f0etqvx]
1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 year
2. Parker’s Heritage Collection 2007, 127.4 proof
3. Vintage 23 year
4. George T. Stagg 2006, 140.6 proof
5. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year
6. The Classic Cask 20 year
7. Vintage 21 year
8. Booker's
9. W.L. Weller 19 year
10. Parker’s Heritage Collection 2007, 122.6 proof
11. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
12. 2005 William Larue Weller, 121.9 proof
13. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2006
14. Parker’s Heritage Collection 2010, 127.8 proof
15. Jefferson’s Presidential Select 17 year
16. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year, Lot B
17. Four Roses Single Barrel
18. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007
19. George T. Stagg Fall 2005, 141.2 proof
20. The Classic Cask 18 year
21. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
22. Baker's
23. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
24. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year
25. Knob Creek