Brian’s Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Review:
reviewed 17-September-2023
HEAVEN HILL BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON REVIEW:
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond (HH BiB) is one of the most peculiar bourbons I have had opportunity to enjoy. This is not to say there is anything wrong with it, in fact in my opinion, it is a solid “B” performer. What makes it unusual is its aroma, palate and finish are like looking into a mirror. No single element outshines the other. It is unlikely I will seek it out, but should one become available and I’m trying to build relationships with a particular Liquor Store’s staff, I wouldn’t say no to adding another to the bunker.
HEAVEN HILL BOTTLED-IN-BOND VITAL STATS:
Category: Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Region: Bardstown, KY
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Barrel Char: #3
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Fair Price: $71.36 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $49.95 (Oregon, Spring 2023)
No unique batch or bottle number identifiers
“This Kentucky Bourbon pays tribute to the earliest days of the Distillery’s history when in 1939 it released Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond. The namesake brand quickly became the number-one-selling Bourbon whiskey in the state of Kentucky. Still today, the craftsmanship poured into this bottle by the same founding family meets the exacting standards first set forth in the Bottled-in-Bond act of 1897.”
Learn more at Heaven Hill Distillery.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
By alternating pours, I added about four ounces into a Glencairn and a Weck. My daughter and I enjoyed the bourbon neat while I prepared this review.
HEAVEN HILL BOTTLED-IN-BOND NOSE:
When first brought to my nose I sense warm, herbal, roasted corn bathing in mild ethanol. In another waft, dried fruits of apricot, currants, and raisin though few, seem freshened with a squeeze of acidic citrus. Breathing in HH BiB, I smell classic spices of cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and rye which blend with nearly caramelized, light vanilla infused simple syrup, with hint of dark molasses drizzled over bitter hazelnuts. Though the wood does not dominate the pour, there is enough dry seasoned oak and little hazy toasted wood along with a touch of earthy leather treat the senses.
HEAVEN HILL BOTTLED-IN-BOND PALATE:
The flavors in HH BiB, nearly mimic what I sensed on the nose. Warm herbal, roasted corn dance on the tongue with currants and raisins and now a bit of bitter and acidic citrus. Though I cannot tell what the fruit is, I taste cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and rye blended in a jar of red berry jam. The sugary sweetness is somewhat diminished but I do still find rich vanilla in soft caramelizing simple syrup topped over hazelnuts as well. And under it all, there’s the dry seasoned oak and hazy toasted wood I’ve come to expect from Heaven Hill.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
HH BiB is a simple but well balanced bourbon. No single component outshines the other, to the degree some might deem this a simple pour. The first sips give the tongue a manageable tickle but the liquid is creamy and becomes oily the longer it is held. As the glass is swirled, a thick and solid crown is formed, then clinging droplets break and quickly fall. After each sip, thin medium legs break from the veil transporting the liquid back to the dark carrot colored pool.
HEAVEN HILL BOTTLED-IN-BOND FINISH
I could have almost cut and pasted my notes for the warm medium-long finish of HH BiB from the remarks above. In the mouth and on the tongue I sense roasted corn, currants, raisin and the bitter acidity of citrus zest. An aftertaste of cinnamon, pepper, and rye pairs nicely with sensations of vanilla simple syrup and slightly bitter hazelnuts. As each sip fades away, dry seasoned oak and hazy toasted wood remind me of the pour’s balance. And when the last dram is downed, swept dry oak sawdust piles waft from the empty Glencairn.
MY RATING: 85/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 85/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Heaven Hill Distillery.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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