12th Edition of annual ultra-premium release renews partnership with Master Blender Alain Royer and continues support of ALS research and patient care
BARDSTOWN, KY— Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the 2018 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in orange curaçao barrels. The 12th edition will be shipping into select markets across the country beginning in September.
The 2018 edition showcases the versatility that Heaven Hill’s 1.4 million aging barrels provides for an ultra-premium, innovative Bourbon. Aged for seven to eight years in the upper floors of Rickhouse Q, the Bourbon was then aged for four months in barrels that previously held French orange curaçao liqueur. The orange curaçao finished offering is the second barrel-finished Bourbon in twelve years of the annual Parker’s Heritage Collection series. Royer also partnered on a previous edition, which featured a Cognac finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Bottled at 110 proof (55% abv) and non-chill filtered to preserve all the flavor compounds, the orange curaçao finish lends a unique flavor that complements the Bourbon without overpowering it, creating an entirely new and elegant tasting experience.
The annual release of Parker’s signature line is one of the most highly anticipated bottlings for Whiskey and Bourbon lovers worldwide, as the collection produces an innovative, highly sought after bottling each year and now serves as a remembrance of the collection’s namesake. Parker’s Heritage Collection was originally conceived to showcase the extraordinary quality and broad range of Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey holdings, as Heaven Hill boasts the world’s second largest inventory of aging American Whiskey.
The late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. The past five editions from 2013-2017, including the “Promise of Hope” Bourbon, the “Original Batch” Straight Wheat Whiskey, the Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, the 24-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, and the 11-Year-Old Single Barrel, respectively, have raised over one million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. Heaven Hill will continue with this cause-related campaign, and will again contribute a portion of the proceeds from the average national retail cost of $89.99 of each 750ml bottle sold of this year’s release to the ALS Association. With every past edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection quickly selling out, the company expects to continue to generate significant dollars for this effort in Parker’s memory.
“We are excited to resume our partnership with Alain Royer as we continue to innovate with barrel finished products,” said Susan Wahl, Group Product Director at Heaven Hill Distillery. “Parker appreciated thoughtful, new ways to enjoy Bourbon, as evidenced by his original collaboration with Royer. This newest edition blends both Parker’s imprint, as the Bourbon was distilled by him several years ago, but also the imprint of our current Master Distiller, Denny Potter, who worked through countless samples to find the perfect balance of flavor and Bourbon. We are proud to continue offering the Parker’s Heritage Collection in his memory and continue to support ALS research and patient care efforts.”
Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous eleven editions, but with a beige colored label, the newest Parker’s Heritage Collection edition reflects the care and craftsmanship of its contents. Available in a three-bottle case, it will be featured on the shelves and back bars of the nation’s finest spirits retailers and on-premise accounts starting in September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate magazine, Whisky Magazine and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the series stands as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” to “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”
Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
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CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Distillery
lcherry@heavenhill.com
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