Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is an ultra-premium whiskey from a distillery that has secured a place in the upper echelon of higher priced spirits. This 2023 release is a 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey that showcases the traditional Heaven Hill mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley.
The distillery was originally founded in 1935 and has enjoyed a long production of award-winning whiskey that has held its own against the myriad Kentucky distilleries, boasting such powerhouses as Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Bourbon, and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey, to name only a few of the collection.
The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection “reflects the true craftsmanship, patience, and consistency which are hallmarks of Heaven Hill’s whiskey making traditions,” states Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. This type of ultra-aging in a whiskey requires a lot of patience, both on the part of the distillers and the consumers, but it seems that both this and last year’s inaugural release have been met with great acclaim.
Heaven Hill works with local farms to select corn, which is milled and combined with malted barley and rye to develop their classic recipe. The grains are cooked in small batches using Kentucky limestone water, then combined with a pre-mashed distillate to be fermented. The next step is to add the proprietary yeast strain that has been in the family and passed down over generations to the cooked mash, creating the unique flavor profile that Heaven Hill promises.
Once the whiskey is put into barrels, it’s placed in open rickhouses and, in this Heritage Hill Collection release, the whiskey has been aged for twenty years, having been produced in October 2002, and made up entirely of 110 barrels.
Tasting Notes: Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey
Vital Stats: Aged 20 years. Bottled at 110 Proof. Small Batch. Mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley. The 750ml bottle comes in a premium box in signature Heaven Hill blue with a double-H stamped in gold. SRP $289.99.
Appearance: A dark brassy complexion with long legs that coat the glass.
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Nose: The nose is a strong promise of the premise, with light smoke of a clove cigarette, plum, and the scent of the pages of an old book, musty and familiar. Then, surprisingly, the very distinct aroma of Captain Crunch cereal.
Palate: The palate doesn’t quite live up to the nose, though the whiskey is quite smooth. There’s a pleasant burn in the back of the palate, with woody notes joining stone fruit, bitter tea leaf, the pithy element that reminds me of an orange rind.
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