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 7th 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.
