Heaven Hill is back again with its 19th annual limited edition Parker’s Heritage Collection expression—an 11-year-old Kentucky Straight American Whiskey.
Before we continue, I’d like to introduce a new review series that returns to the roots of why I started writing about whiskey in the first place: to share my tasting notes and analyses on new releases in the spirits world. I love technical deep dives and whiskey history, but I’ve found lately that my reviews have gotten so in-depth that it often deters me from reviewing bottles that I otherwise want to share my thoughts on.
With that said, “In the Glass” reviews are just that—a more focused look at the whiskey in the glass with more concise backstories and historical context. Rest assured, though, that In The Glass reviews will always include thorough tasting notes, because at the end of the day, it’s all about the whiskey.
Experimental Whiskey From A Legendary Distillery
Parker’s Heritage Collection (PHC) has always been experimental in nature, with whiskey ranging from 8-27 years old, in a variety of finishes, barrel char levels, and at a wide range of proof points. What started as an outlet for late Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam’s experimental projects has turned into a highly anticipated annual release.
In the past, we’ve seen PHC take the form of all the usual American whiskey suspects: straight bourbon (both rye-based and wheated), straight rye, straight malt whiskey (not to be confused with single malt), and straight wheat whiskey. Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition is the first release in the series not made of a single whiskey style. The 6th edition “Blend of Mashbills” combined wheated and rye-based bourbon barrels, but was still bourbon nonetheless.
PHC 19th Edition comes at a time when more and more distilleries are taking a chance on marketing American whiskey that’s made from multiple styles. I wrote in depth about this topic last year, but the gist is that whiskey made from a combination of bourbon, rye, and other styles can yield flavor profiles that aren’t always possible with a single style.
Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition is made from a combination of 15‑year-old wheated bourbon, 11‑year-old corn whiskey, and 12‑year-old American whiskey made from exactly 50% rye and 50% malted barley—bottled at a cask strength of 122.5 proof.
Like previous editions, a portion of the proceeds will continue to support ALS research in honor of Parker Beam. Since 2013, a portion of every bottle sale has been donated to ALS research through The Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund.
Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition Tasting Notes
This whiskey appears dark gold in color. It is quite viscous and really sticks to the glass.
On the nose, I find notes of cornbread, apple turnover, canned peaches in syrup, a hint of fennel seed, lemon oil, butterscotch, clove, fresh-cut hay, vanilla bean, a hint of plum, peanut brittle and 2x4s. With water, fresh mint, gunpowder green tea, plain yogurt and toasted coconut emerge.
This whiskey is much richer and oilier on the palate than expected, with notes of vanilla custard, cherry danish, circus peanuts, brazil nut, caramel corn, more mintiness, toffee, a touch of chili flakes, barley sugars, toasted oak and pipe tobacco. This really comes alive with water—Jamaican sugar bun, chocolate frosting, walnuts, and bananas foster make this whiskey even more decadent.
The finish is spicy and herbal, with more tea leaves, charred oak, almond paste, wet stone, brown sugar, hint of green pepper, baked apple, dried cherries, peach pits. Water brings out a surprising fresh strawberry note along with graham cracker, shortbread, and a hint of toasted marshmallow.
Like the 6th edition Blend of Mashbills, PHC 19 is greater than the sum of its parts. Unlike the 6th edition, this whiskey contains more than just bourbon. The presence of both corn whiskey—which doesn’t need to age in new oak—and a well-aged rye/malt component are clearly on display here, with unique, rich sweetness, lots of varied spice and fruit. After tasting this, I assume that the corn whiskey and wheated bourbon components make up the majority of the final blend, but all three components work their magic equally. This is one of my favorite Parker’s Heritage Collection releases in many years, and I expect it to quickly become a fan favorite.
Score: 90/100
