Parker's Heritage Single Barrel 2013 Promise of Hope

Bourbon Review #8: Parker's Heritage Single Barrel 2013 Promise of Hope




Category: Boutique 

Price: $95

Availability: Limited Annual (Fall) Release 

Proof: 96, 48% a.b.v.

Mashbill: No Statement

Age: 10 Years  

Distillery: Heaven Hill, Bardstown, Kentucky

     Heaven Hill in Bardstown, KY produces some great whiskies. These include, Even Williams, Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, Rittenhouse Rye and many more. Like many other distilleries, H. H. has jumped on the premium bourbon train that’s sweeping the globe. Their contribution to the boutique bourbon craze is Parkers Heritage. This label fits the profile of other limited released bourbons in that it is expensive, hard to find and released in small quantity.

     This is the 7^th year Parkers Heritage has been released. Each year it’s an entirely different expression, chosen by Heaven Hill’s Master Distillers, Parker and Craig Beam. This is a rundown of all seven releases.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 1-7

◦       PHC1 – 10 Year Bourbon, Cask Strength

◦       PHC2 – 27 Year Bourbon, 96 Proof

◦       PHC3 – Golden Anniversary, 100 Proof

◦       PHC4 – Wheated 10 Year, Cask Strength

◦       PHC5 – 10 Year Bourbon, Cognac Cask, 100 Proof

◦       PHC6 – Master Distiller’s Blend of Mashbills, Cask Strength

◦       PHC7 – “Promise of Hope” 10 Year Single Barrel

     Father and son team Parker and Craig have consistently turned out some wonderful expressions of bourbon over the last seven years! This years release is called “Promise of Hope”. Parker has recently been diagnosed with ALS. The concept behind this years release is that $20.00 from each bottle sold will be donated to the ALS Promise Fund. Its basically premium bourbon that is sold to support a wonderful cause. The Colonel thinks this is a great idea!

     Most limited edition bourbons these days try to offer something unique and exotic. The goal is to put something on the market in very limited quantity that differs from the normative bourbon concept. In other words, the goal with these limited release bourbons is to knock your socks off. For example, The B. T. Antique Collection offers several very old barrel strength whiskies, with unique mashbills. Four Roses has put a lot of thought into their limited edition lines, featuring their completely original multiple yeast approach. Then you have the Pappy concept, offered as a very old, super premium, wheated bourbon. With so much out there to choose from, the bar has been set ridiculously high for any limited edition bourbon! Lets face it…. there has never been such anticipation for high-end bourbons! 

     That said, the P.H. 2013 release could easily get lost in the shuffle of other fall releases. After all, its got a very normal mashbill, its only 10 years old, its not coming from Heaven Hill’s pre-fire stock and its not barrel strength. So, what makes it special? Folks, the Colonel is here to tell you that this is classical, no frills bourbon, done right! This expression is making a statement that you don’t have to be exotic to be fantastic! 

     This is a short video clip, recently taken of master distiller Parker Beam.                    

Parker's H. 2013 from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.




     Overall: The P. H. 2013 reminds me of a more sophisticated version of the Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel. It’s all those classic, core bourbon flavors (vanilla, cinnamon and oak), with a slightly longer than moderate finish. The flavors are stunningly balanced and well concentrated in the mouth. If someone stopped me on the street and said, what is the best example of extremely nice, classic bourbon? I would point them to this expression. The Colonel ranks it in the #5 spot on my top five favorite boutique bourbons. I give it an 8-9 out of 10 overall.