For today’s post it’s going to be something different. I’ll be tasting and rating 5 easily available bottles from Heaven Hill distillery. None of these are hard to find and none of these are very expensive. These are the samples for a recent tasting I did that was a great introduction to Heaven Hill range of flavors and bottlings. The bottle notes are copied from the sample labels that were provided for me. They are written down and read after I’ve made up my mind on the spirit. Also whoever wrote these, I love your use of Oxford comma!
Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Bottle Notes
Color: Delicate amber gold
Aroma: Dark caramel, sweet oak, and charred wood
Taste: Lush and spicy, oak with honey apple, and orange notes
Finish: Long, graceful, and relaxed
My Thoughts:
Only single barrel of the evening, this will vary slightly year to year. Sweet, mentholy and not overcomplicated, yet enjoyable with nice finish. A quintessential Heaven Hill bourbon without any gimmicks.
Score: B-
Larceny
Bottle Notes
Color: Bright new copper
Aroma: Fresh bread and toffee, with notes of butterscotch
Taste: Buttery caramel and honey, with a rich mouthfeel
Finish: Long, gently sweet, and savory
My Thoughts:
Surprisingly tastier than the single barrel Larceny I have. Very delicate sweet spirit with somewhat bitter finish. The finish does thankfully fade into wheat sweetness and lingers for a long time. Does get better while drinking it. Not a fan of the beginning but really enjoying the tail end of this one.
Score: C+
Fighting Cock Bourbon
Bottle Notes
Color: Deep Amber
Aroma: Caramel with hints of oak, vanilla, and barley
Taste: Hints of hazelnut, honey and black licorice
Finish: Long and sweet with a trace of heat
My Thoughts:
Somewhat silly brand name, but I digress. Oooooh… This one I like. Sweet and robust, this drinks like a better version of Evan Williams from above… This is actually really good and worth trying. The slight menthol note still seems to be there but balances quite well into the overall spirit. I expect the menthol is something that’s a signature style of the distillery/yeast/mash. Some googling later… THIS COSTS $15!!!??? Buy it, buy it now!
Score: B+ (B)
Update after getting a bottle: I’ve moved the grade up to B+. This is extremely and dangerously drinkable as it almost perfectly aligns with what I want out of a bourbon palate. I paid $20 for the bottle. No regrets!
Rittenhouse 100 Rye
Bottle Notes
Color: Mahogany
Aroma: Dried fruits, toffee, and sweet peppers
Taste: Clean, rich, cocoa, citrus, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla
Finish: Lingering maple-like spiciness
My Thoughts:
Overall, not a fan. Mashbill is only 51% rye grain and it shows. This may as well be a generic high rye bourbon from the flavor. Sticky, long, and enjoyable aftertaste with rye notes finally asserting dominance. Somewhat drinkable, but not something I’d choose straight. I’m aware it’s great for mixing, don’t drink it neat, kids, mix this one away!
Score: D
Pikesville Rye
Bottle Notes
Color: Pale Copper
Aroma: Dusty cocoa notes with oaky smoke underneath
Taste: Dry and spicy, with honeyed rye and cloves
Finish: Soft vanilla and baking spices
My Thoughts:
Definitely proper rye flavors vs Rittenhouse. The floor varnish is strong with one. Very dark and brooding rye. It’s quite drinkable solo, but I’d still prefer this in a mixed drink.
Score: B-
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Winners of the lineup: Pikesville Rye and Fighting Cock Bourbon!