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Release Notes
Golden Anniversary is the third of the Parker's Heritage Collection bourbons that we've had here at TWE. A range of top-end bourbons from Heaven Hill, these whiskies have been whipping up a storm in the US.
The Whisky Exchange
Fifty years is a long time to be working in one industry, and master distiller Parker Beam has done just that. This bottling celebrates Parker's 50 years of service by mingling whiskey from each of the past five decades. (Although, I don't think there's a whole lot from the 1960s in there.)
John Hansell, Malt Advocate
3rd Party Tasting Notes
This is a fabulous whiskey; seamless, incredibly complex, with an impeccable marriage of youth and maturity. It's also very even-keeled throughout-quite different than last year's equally impressive Parker's Heritage Collection bottling, a 27 year old, whose personality was more like an exhilarating old wooden rollercoaster ride (and also brandished more oak). The Golden Anniversary bottling shows candied citrus, nectarine, blueberry, and sultana anchored by a nougat center and laced with honeyed vanilla and orange creamsicle. There's a dusting of cocoa powder, brittle mint, and cinnamon, too! Tobacco leaves, polished leather, and teasing bourbon barrel char round out the palate, emerging more prominently toward its warming finish. This is a classic bourbon that's very complex, yet very drinkable.:
John Hansell, Malt Advocate:
N: An attractive floral rye dominated nose, light wood, cinnamon sticks.:
P: Definitely leans towards the rye profile, some balancing sweetness but the wood spice then takes over. Nice.
F: Quite long on the wood spice, a hint of cherry.
R: B
P: Definitely leans towards the rye profile, some balancing sweetness but the wood spice then takes over. Nice.
F: Quite long on the wood spice, a hint of cherry.
R: B
Chris, LA Whisky Society:
Nose of candy corn, with leather and some must. Honey. After time, it opens up excellently into, well uh, I wrote "candy-caramel-yum." The palate isn't as thrilling as the nose, but for some, will be exactly what they're looking for -- it's quite "smooth" and generally a vanilla-honey number with a mild sweetness. Nicely balanced, with the oak just noticeable enough. Easy to drink with a nice, moderate chew to it. It's not a superstar or a true standout, but it's great bourbon that I like quite a bit.:
Rating: B
Rating: B
Adam, LA Whisky Society:
The Distillery: Heaven Hill
| Established: 1935 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: 1064 Loretto Road, Bardstown, KY 40004-2269 |
As noted, Heaven Hill"s traditional product has been bourbon; however, the company now oversees a broad range of labels. Following is a listing of the company"s labels: Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Fighting Cock, Heaven Hill, Ezra Brooks, Henry McKenna, Old Fitzgerald, Ansac Cognac, Arandas Tequila, Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, Burnett"s Gun/Vodka, Christian Brothers Brandy/Holiday Nog,Ports &Sherries, Cluny Blended Scotch, Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur, Coronet VSQ, Du Bouchett, Dubonnet, El Conquistador Tequila, Glen Salen Pure Malt Scotch, Hpnotiq Liqueur, Kentucky Deluxe Blended Whiskey, Lazzaroni Amaretto, O"Mara"s Irish Country Cream, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, Pikesville Supreme Straight Rye, Rittenhouse Straight Rye, Ron Leave, Two Fingers Tequila, Whaler"s Original Rum.
On November 7, 1996, Heaven Hill"s production plant was almost completely destroyed by fire. Several of the company"s warehouses were destroyed, and over 90,000 gallons of alcohol lost. The company survived the next several years through the provision of production capacity by its fellow local bourbon labels, Brown-Forman and Jim Beam, until its purchase and adaptation of the new Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery in Louisville, while fermenting, mashing, and distilling occurs at the new distillery, aging, bottling, and shipping still occur in Bardstown.
Heaven Hill"s location in the historical home of bourbon-making, coupled with its status as the only such company still under local ownership, has led it to take a role in curating and advertising bourbon tradition. In 2004, the Bourbon Heritage Center was opened on distillery grounds, featuring historical exhibits and guided tours of the plant. The company also hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and many of the company"s own labels are named after famous local distillers.
Heaven Hill was founded shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935 by several investors, including a prominent distiller, Joseph L. Beam, and a member of the Shapira family. As the company developed, the five brothers of the Shapira family bought out the other investors. Joe Beam remained as Master Distiller, along with his youngest son, Harry. Descendants of the Shapira brothers own and run the company to this day.
The original name was "Old Heavenhill Springs" distillery. The company was founded as a bourbon distillery, and for most of its existence has concentrated on its flagship bourbon labels, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. However, in the past two decades the company has expanded its portfolio significantly, acquiring brands or obtaining import rights for gins, malt whiskey, vodkas, and other drinks.
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is a leading distillery based in the self-proclaimed "Bourbon Capital of the World", Bardstown, Kentucky. It is the seventh-largest alcohol supplier in the United States, the second-largest holder of bourbon whiskey in the world, and the only remaining family-owned distillery in Kentucky. It has had "Quality Formula since 1788".
Trivia:
- All of the Master Distillers at Heaven Hill since its founding have been members of the Beam family. The original Master Distiller was Joseph L. Beam, Jim Beam"s first cousin. He was followed by his son, Harry, who was followed by Earl Beam, the son of Jim Beam"s brother, Park. Earl Beam was succeeded by the current Master Distillers, Parker Beam and his son, Craig Beam.
from Wikipedia