Old Heaven Hill Bottled In Bond
Narrow Spectrum Sizzle
0 485
Review by @Victor
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall85
Show rating data charts
Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Heaven Hill
- ABV: 50%
Heaven Hill is one of the largest producers of US bourbon and rye whiskeys. "Bottled In Bond" is a US government designation requiring, among other things, a bottling at 50% ABV, a minimum of 4 years of aging, and all of the whiskey bottled from a single year of production. I have had this bottle for more than 3 years, and it has been open for over 2 years. It was, however, 97% full prior to sampling for this review. Recent batches of HH BIB have been sold bottled at 4 yrs, 5 yrs, and 6 yrs. I am assuming that the reviewed bottle is 4 yo, because I have no information otherwise. The bottle relates that this is charcoal filtered. This is a non-sequential format review
Strength: the flavours are very strong in Old Heaven Hill BIB; really, in nose, palate, and finish there is a ton of flavour here. This is a great example of how 4 years in new oak can yield very strong flavouring, even cut down to 50% ABV. Score 24/25
Quality: the flavours are vivid and piquante, both from the grains and from the wood. The rye is crisp, the corn provides a very full background creaminess, and vanilla and natural caramel from the wood are pointed and engaging. Score 23/25
Variety: filtration to provide mass-market "smoothness" cuts the range and nuance of flavours quite a lot. Score 18/25
Harmony: there is very competent harmony of the flavours present, but filtration here has greatly cut down on the complexity available. Score 20/25
Comment: this is quite a decent bourbon, with intense flavours, but reduced depth and complexity, due to the filtration process. As of May 2013, this can be purchased at Binny's in Chicago for $ 11.99 plus tax. This is not a commonly available bourbon, but is a good example of very decent quality products still available in the US at very low prices
Victor, I'm starting to wonder if yours isn't the more useful approach to whisk(e)y reviews. Aside from certain basic flavors and aromas (malt, sherry, vanilla, corn, peat, etc.), have any two reviewers ever agreed on tasting notes? There's more agreement on quality and overall experience than there is on the more subtle underlying flavors. One man's apples are another man's oranges, if you will.
Despite your problems with this bourbon, it sounds like an exceptional bang for the buck. I notice that Heaven Hill's Ultra Deluxe White Label sells for a dollar more...and is bottled at 10% lower ABV. But it's Ultra Deluxe, after all! ;-)