Heaven Hill Distillery | Parker's Heritage Collection

Parker's Heritage Collection

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Parker's Heritage Collection

Each year as part of the Parker's Heritage Collection, we select a special Whiskey to be released in the name of our late Master Distiller Parker Beam. The barrels selected for this series include Bourbon, Rye, and Wheat Whiskeys, among others, and are some of the finest and most diverse American Whiskeys ever produced. They are a fitting tribute to the expertise of Parker Beam.

Proof: Varies by Release
Age: Varies by Release

The 18^th edition of the Parker's Heritage Collection^® consists of 14-year-old Malt Whiskey aged in the upper floors of Rickhouses O and Q. Then, barrels that previously held Cognac were reconstructed to include a handful of new heavy toast staves. The Malt Whiskey was then rebarreled in the reconstructed barrels and aged for almost four months. Bottled at 107 proof without chill filtration, the rebarreling transforms the Malt Whiskey's earthy, herbal characteristics into complex notes of molasses, dark chocolate, and dried summer fruit.

18th Edition Tasting Notes

Color: Polished Teak
Nose: Oranges and summer fruit at first, then black, herbal tea. Dark chocolate and caramel.
Taste: Rich and velvety, like fine port. Molasses and bittersweet chocolate followed by cloves and nutmeg.
Finish: The molasses and chocolate notes fade to dried figs and apricots with a peppery tingle right at the end.

Parker's Heritage Collection Editions

2024 18th Edition

Heavy Toast Cognac FinishProof: 107

2023 17th Edition

Kentucky Straight Rye WhiskeyProof: 128.8

2022 16th Edition »

Double Barreled Blend BourbonProof: 132.2

2021 15th Edition »

Heavy Char Wheat WhiskeyProof: 122

2020 14th Edition »

Heavy Char BourbonProof: 120

2019 13th Edition »

Heavy Char Rye WhiskeyProof: 105

2018 12th Edition »

Orange Curaçao FinishProof: 110

2017 11th Edition

11 Year-Old Single Barrel Proof: 122

2016 10th Edition

24 Year-Old
Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Proof: 100

2015 9th Edition

Malt Whiskey Proof: 108

2014 8th Edition

Original Batch
Wheat Whiskey Proof: 127.4, 126.8,
135

2013 7th Edition

Promise of Hope Proof: 96

2012 6th Edition

Blend of Mashbills Proof: 131.6, 133.2, 137.9, 139.4

2011 5th Edition

Cognac Finish Proof: 100

2010 4th Edition

Wheated Bourbon Proof: 127.8, 124.2

2009 3rd Edition

Golden Anniversary Proof: 100

2008 2nd Edition

27-Year-Old Proof: 96

2007 1st Edition

Cask Strength Proof: 121.4, 122.6,
126.6, 127.4,
129.6

The Different Levels of Barrel Char

As part of the award-winning heavy char series, the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th editions explored the effects
of different char levels on flavor. Barrels are charred for specific lengths of time to create
the desirable aromatic compounds and chemical changes that occur when intense
heat hits the oak. Click on the staves below to learn more.

Char Level 1 15 seconds

This short char time leads to a lot of interaction between the liquid and the natural tannins present in American white oak. This style is not used by whiskey distilleries for long-term aging, but sometimes they become finishing barrels. Most often, they're used for beer and wine production.

Char Level 2 30 seconds

Barrels charred for shorter amounts of time tend to show more fruit esters and lactones, which provide woody, coconut qualities. Level 2 barrels are typically not used for aging whiskey, as they haven’t had enough heat exposure to break down the oak’s hemicellulose into the delicious wood sugars that lend caramel and toffee flavors.

Char Level 3 40 seconds

This is the standard barrel Heaven Hill Distillery uses to age our whiskey portfolio, providing the perfect balance between spice, sweetness, smoke, and flavorful vanillins. The black char layer on top acts as a natural charcoal filter, removing undesirable compounds, while the caramelized "red layer" underneath infuses the spirit with rich, varied aromatics and dark color.

Char Level 4 50-60 seconds

This is a commonly used barrel that's also known as "alligator char," due to the cracked, shiny pattern that emerges from longer exposure to the flame. These barrels provide strong vanilla flavor as well as an increased presence of phenolic compounds, the aromatics that characterize wood smoke.

Char Level 5 90 seconds

Barrels charred this long are not normally offered by cooperages, and ours were specially crafted for this edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection. They feature deep fissures that occur when the heat causes the wood to peel away from the barrel. These cracks allow the liquid to easily move back and forth into the staves, providing even more interaction with both caramelized and uncharred oak.