2008 release is a 27-year-old Bourbon hand selected by legendary Master Distiller Parker Beam
BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned spirits producer and marketer, announces the release of the second edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection, a limited annual series of rare, aged American Whiskeys that pays tribute to 6th Generation Master Distiller Parker Beam. The second release, a very small batch of 27-year-old barrels bottled at 96 proof, follows on the heels of the sold-out 2007 first edition, a barrel-proof Bourbon which was named as the 21st top spirit in the world by renowned expert F. Paul Pacult in his 2008 book Kindred Spirits 2.
This second edition, which will be appearing on retail shelves in October and November, will be drawn from 100 barrels hand selected by legendary Master Distiller Parker Beam. Even though these barrels will have matured for a full 27 years in Heaven Hill’s Warehouse U in Bardstown, Parker intentionally selected barrels that matured on the lower floors of the rickhouse (the third floor of seven), meaning that the low storage, where high temperatures can run 6 to 10 degrees below those on the sixth and seventh floors, mitigated the potential effects of overaging. This 2008 Parker’s Heritage Collection will be available in limited quantities nationally in major metro markets for an average retail price of $200 per bottle.
Future editions of Parker’s Heritage Collection, to be released annually every Fall, will feature unique expressions of American Whiskey styles drawn from Heaven Hill’s inventory of more than 700,000 aging barrels, the world’s second largest holdings. Heaven Hill, as the only remaining national distiller that produces Bourbon, Rye, Corn and Wheat Whiskeys (Tennessee Whiskey being the remaining straight whiskey type, which must be law be made in Tennessee), has in its rickhouses more whiskey styles/types than any other producer, barrels that would typically be dumped for acclaimed brands like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Bourbon, Rittenhouse and Pikesville Ryes, Mellow Corn Corn Whiskey and Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey. But Parker Beam, who oversees all aspects of whiskey production at Heaven Hill alongside his son Craig, much as Parker did with his father Earl, has earmarked select barrels of each of these styles to be dumped for future editions of Parker’s Heritage Collection.
“This second release is a Bourbon that only Heaven Hill could offer,” commented Parker Beam. “Today’s American Whiskey connoisseur is looking for exceptional characteristics in their products, and clearly this Bourbon delivers a lot of age. But I wanted to make sure that the barrel didn’t overwhelm the grain notes of this bottling, so I intentionally sought out barrels from the lower floors. This Bourbon is 27 years old, but in my opinion drinks more like our 18-year-old Elijah Craig Single Barrel, drawn from the top floors, or even some of our 15-year-old export Bourbons.”
Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio includes: The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça, Scotch Whiskies; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, KY.
CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 413-0220
lkass@heaven-hill.com