50% ABV
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bardstown, KY
I found my thrill on Heaven Hill
Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s largest independent, family-owned bourbon distillery, produces over 1.8 million barrels of whiskey annually. It owns and produces over 20 different whiskeys including some award-winning, highly collectible brands like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, which you saw earlier in this section and which was named “Whiskey of the Year” by Whisky Advocate in 2017. The limited-edition Parker’s Heritage Collection seems to always be in the running for that title in different spirit competitions as well as the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series. Most recently, Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond won “Best in Show, Whiskey” at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The brand has been flying high since the accolade and hasn’t really come down.
Good luck finding a bottle of Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond or, more accurately, good luck finding it anywhere close to MSRP, which hovers around $45 – you’re more likely to find it for $75 if you’re lucky but usually much higher.
The original Henry McKenna brand dates to the 1850s, yet another classic, more accessible bourbon, Heaven Hill Bottle-in-Bond, employs the same exact mash bill as the Henry McKenna. It was originally introduced in 1939 and fetches around $55 a bottle.
The biggest difference between this and the McKenna is mostly the age, Heaven Hill is aged seven years versus 10 years for the McKenna, but also the barrel selection. Before fans of McKenna start composing angry emails directed at me, I want to state that the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond should not be considered a replacement for the Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond, as they are not even close in my estimation. But the Heaven Hill’s profile is a step on the path that leads to the top of the hill where McKenna sits.
Burning rivers of whiskey
Since 1939, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond had been a staple of the distillery’s portfolio of brands. In 1996, a fire broke out at Heaven Hill’s Bardstown distillery, destroying seven warehouses, called rickhouses, as well as the main distillery building along with 90,000 barrels of aging whiskey.
It was a sensational fire, as whiskey-fueled fireballs erupted throughout the property, burning rivers of whiskey could be seen pouring from the burning rickhouses. Thankfully, the only casualties were the buildings, some considerable whiskey stock and the unquenched thirst of the brand’s loyal followers.
Other brands were affected by delays and allocation challenges, but the beloved Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond was discontinued until 2019 when the company brought it back. Fans of the brand were displeased as news spread of the brand’s return with a higher age statement and significant price increase. At the time of the fire, the original had an MSRP of around $15 and was aged six years; the 2019 release was aged seven years and hit the shelves with a $40 price tag. The reaction from the bourbon community should not surprise anyone; the original Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond became a highly sought after collector’s item and the new version was universally bad-mouthed by bourbon blogs. The community has since come around and for the most part, has begun warming up to the product again.
Pairing by: Erik Calviño
Tasting Notes: Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond
The nose on the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond is sweet with tons of caramel and vanilla layered over nuts and oak. The palate delivers more of the caramel and oak along with a heavy dose of cinnamon and cherry. As the whiskey lingers, the flavors add a dose of chocolate to the caramel and vanilla accompanied by a hint of acidity on the finish.
Cigar Pairing: La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
The powerful and ultra-flavorful Double Ligero from La Flor Dominicana in lancero produces a profile of sweet cedar, black pepper, and over-ripened fruit. A sip of the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond introduces a dose of creamy vanilla and oak spice that adds complexity to the smoke.
