Heaven Hill 13 Year Old 2001 Malts of Scotland

The Parderborn boys have crossed the big pond for the first time and bottled a bourbon. Well, actually three casks at once and all three are from the Heaven Hill distillery (*). We know this American distillery from Kentucky from brands like Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Old Fitzgerald, Parker's Heritage Collection, Pikesville, Rittenhouse and a few others. MoS bottled a sherry hogshead from 2001, a bourbon barrel from 2005 and this 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that got a port cask finish. That explains the deep red color of this syrupy dram.

The nose is honeysweet with loads of mint. The sweetness translates into young corn, red fruits (strawberries included) and candied orange rind. A brown toast with maple syrup. A touch of green herbs and a hint of marzipan. The port put a positive spin on this nose.

It is syrupy on the palate, but also quite piquant. Immediately the spices speak, before the palate softens up and allows the fruity side of this bourbon to show itself. Now the port is dominant. Red fruit with a mildly sour edge, some cider and cherries. Loads of oak. And finally a ton of caramel and some vanilla that tell you that this is still a bourbon without a doubt.

The finish is medium long and evolves towards sweet and sour.

I was a bit worried about the port cask at first, but that was completely unwarranted. Nice interplay of tastes. The nose is the best part of this whiskey for me. It reminds me mostly of the Parker’s Heritage. Just under 100 EUR.

(*) there is actually a fourth cask, for the Images of Bardstown is obviously also a Heaven Hill bottling.