The Many Faces of Heaven Hill - Blind Tasting

 

The Many Faces of Heaven Hill - Blind Tasting Review

Another adventure of the Endless Whiskey Blind Drinkers Crew (BDC). For our second mission we decided to set our eyes on the Heaven Hill and the products that come out of the Bernheim located at a staggering elevation of 466 feet above sea-level. Many of the BDC having become accustomed to our lofty perch at 5280 decided it was wise to bring provisions of smoked meat and additional company on our second blind tasting event.

Similar to our first outing the rules were simple, in order to be double blind tasters were required to submit products from Heaven Hill, and only Heaven Hill. Each bottle was assigned a number and five bottles were chosen at random from a hat. Those five bottles then were arranged in a tasting flight managed by our "whiskey monkey" (the individual responsible for pouring exactly .75 ounces of the selected sprit in to our empty drams). 

Leveraging the Modern Thirst Bourbon Flavor Wheel and Tasting Sheet the BDC, while avoiding too many dead trees, examined the appearance, aroma, taste, and finish of each Heaven Hill spirit in the flight. After each round the BDC shared their mutual observations, scores, and comments. The scores were then averaged and the spirits stack ranked and then reveled. 

Our first stop on our lofty assent to the elevation of 466 feet was the one and only Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. Bottled at 94 proof, Toasted Barrel products are one of the favorites of this Average Guy. Taking normally aged spirits and then barrel finishing them in a second brand new barrel that has been "roasted" instead of burnt. This second finish tends to add higher levels of flavors such as vanilla, sweetness, and other notes such as marshmallow.  The BDC found the appearance of this spirit to be golden amber in nature similar to light maple syrup or honey, with comments that it even appears as golden as a Golden Retriever. No doubt the aroma was a steady old friend with notes of sweet baked goods, smoked apricot, and toast. The taste for this first spirit was something that the entire BDC found favorable, with notes sweet cinnamon rolls and maple cream sticks. Before departing to go make a run to our nearest Dunkin' the general consensus was that the finish was a "flavor wave" of pastry, candy, and toasted oak. Many of the BDC guessed this one based on the flavor profile as well as the ability to drink like a 80 proof at nearly 95. 

Overall score: 80 out of 100 points, simply only a single member of the BDC didn't care for the level of sweetness. Hands down even not blind this would be the highest score during our climb to the top of Heaven Hill.

The next stop on our Everest style accent was probably the lowest point on our journey; Kentucky Deluxe. Kentucky Deluxe much too many of our surprise is a Heaven Hill product. A self proclaimed blend of Kentucky bourbon and neutral grain sprits that is then aged in oak barrels for 36 months. The goal is to create an oaky palate with hints of caramel and vanilla with a smooth texture. 

The appearance of the Deluxe was very light in nature, with expressions of "looks like weak Earl Grey

Tea" and "Did this simply Kiss the Char?". Once the nose there were hints of brown rice, soft floral notes, with one BDC taster simply stating "my nose is clearly open now!". On the pallet there were hints of a buttery sweetness that was quickly overtaken by ethanal and old floral notes similar to roses that are past their prime after Valentine's Day. Much to many of our surprise the finish was thin and light but had hints of flavors such as toasted nut, Mellon, and wood. Simply put the finish was so thin it was hard to think this wasn't that little bit of coffee in the bottom of your mug that you drink after adding straight water to the cup. 

The score for this one came in at an average of 58.86 out of 100. A quick stop on an otherwise productive mountain climb. 

The next stop on our way to the summit of Heaven Hill graciously poured by our "whiskey monkey" was Elijah Craig Barrel Proof - Batch B-521 bottled at 118.2 proof. This spirit is aged 12 years before seeing the light of day and is the second release from 2021. 

As the "father of bourbon" that the bottle is named after, it was enjoyed by the majority of the BDC, however one tester clearly hit his pallet limit with the proof and heat that comes with it. This is simply assumed based on his overall tasting comment of "Light it on Fire". The rest of the expedition party didn't take offense and simply took his share of his dram, keeping our eye on the summit at 466'.

The appearance was a wonderful burnt bronze color, with aroma notes of maple candy, sweet roasted nuts, or as one taster noted "smells like a recently oiled leather arm chair... in a good way". 

One the first sip there was clear heat due to the proof of the spirit but one second note there is a clear flavor bomb. Sweet butter cream, tobacco, and almonds. The finish was deep inky / oily spacing over the pallet to leave hints of leather and sugar. One might also consider this to  be the way one would describe a kink or adventure in the "red room", but while everyone in the party with the exception of our younger team members enjoyed this it was clear that we hadn't gotten to our destination and must continue forward. 

The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof scored a 76.16 out of 100, had our single companion not jumped the shark this would have just sneaked past the Toasted Barrel at 90.16 out of 100. But since we aren't grading on a curve, the whiskey gods have left it where it stands.

Our last stop prior to the summit was the town of Pikesville, this pour was a surprise for the BDC simply

after the reveal we all noted we had never visited this before. The appearance of Pikesville was unique golden honey. This was probably the only spirit that got the same "golden honey" note from the entire team. The aroma was extremely welcoming, as one would expect from anything as American as Apple Pie. With notes for cheery, raisin, and vanilla; one taster even noted "smells like the perfume of someone pretty". 

Tasting this spirit was another matter all together, clear hints of apricot / citrus, sweet malt, and anise. Many of the tasters were confused, while this could be pallet fatigue many felt that they had been cat fished as it smelled much more enjoyable than it tasted. The finish was long and enjoyable, the oily mouth feel helped it work out. 

The score ended up at 76.3 out of 100 just walking past the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

On to our final jump was a revisit from our past "Rye Blind" test with Rittenhouse Rye. This bottle seems to continue to show up in the most unwanted of places, similar to other stories in the news. That being said The BDC actually found it more enjoyable this time around, with an appearance of "Harley Davidson Anniversary Gold" and Miller Lite. The aroma while a little "boozy" was spicy with a simply syrup sweetness. 

On the second taste the table almost universally found buttery caramel with pepper and cloves. The finish was clearly of a lower proof then many of the other spirits we had enjoyed on this fine expedition to the summit of Heaven Hill making the final push "short, peppery, and sweet".  One notable comment was "This is comfortable, like I'm wrapped up in a blanket on Christmas morning with a Cheese Danish." While kinky Santa wasn't along for this joy ride, the team scored this final sprit at a 75.66 out of 100. 

As we wrapped up the journey to the summit of Heaven Hill the dinner bell rang for the enjoyment of smoked pulled pork, burnt ends, and spicy coleslaw. 

The final verdict was in:

1. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: 80 out of 100 points
2. Pikesville: 76.3 out of 100 points
3. Elijah Craig BP B-521: 76.16 out of 100 points (**it could have been a contender**)
4. Rittenhouse Rye: 75.66 out of 100
5. Kentucky Deluxe: 58.66 out of 100

It's worth noting that the other bottles that were in the line up but not chosen for the flight included:

• Elijah Craig Store Picks (8 year)
• Elijah Craig BP C-921
• Larceny Small Batch
• Larceny BP C-921
• Heaven Hill BiB 7 year

A wonderful afternoon with the BDC until next time.