This Year’s Parker’s Heritage Collection Honors the Memory of Parker Beam

Heaven Hill has announced that this year’s Parker’s Heritage Collection release will honor the memory of Parker Beam, the distillery’s late Master Distiller Emeritus. Parker passed away earlier this year after a years-long battle with ALS.

The Parker’s Heritage Collection series began 11 years ago under the oversight of Parker himself. Showcasing exceptional whiskeys from Heaven Hill’s warehouses, Parker’s Heritage Collection releases have included bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys, all highly sought after. A portion of the sales from the past four Parker’s Heritage Collection releases have been donated to the ALS Association, raising more than half a million dollars for ALS research and patient care, and this release will be no different.

“Through Parker Beam’s leadership and influence, the history of Kentucky Bourbon and Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey heritage has an enduring foundation of quality, transparency, and passion,” said Susan Wahl, Group Product Director at Heaven Hill Distillery, in a statement. “We are proud to continue offering the Parker’s Heritage collection in his memory and continue to support ALS research and patient care efforts.”

The 2017 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling will be an 11-year-old single barrel release, bottled at 122 proof, and non-chill filtered. Barrels were pulled from the Deatsville rickhouse, which Heaven Hill says was “Parker’s favorite rickhouse location.” Bottles will begin appearing in regional markets beginning in September. As far as tasting notes go, Heaven Hill says “the bourbon tastes of heavy spice and oak, with a hint of smoke and raisin, followed by a long and dry finish.”

The statement suggests retail pricing will be approximately $130. As in years past, for each bottle sold, $10 will be donated to the ALS Association.