Parker’s Heritage Collection, “Golden Anniversary”, 50%, $150
This bottling celebrates Master Distiller Parker Beam’s 50 years of service by containing whiskey from each of the past five decades. This is a fabulous whiskey: seamless, incredibly complex, with an impeccable marriage of youth and maturity. It’s also very even-keeled throughout—quite different than last year’s equally impressive PHC, a 27 year old, whose personality was more like an exhilarating old wooden rollercoaster ride (and also brandished more oak). Look for candied citrus, nectarine, blueberry, and sultana anchored by a nougat center and laced with honeyed vanilla and orange creamsickle. There’s a dusting of cocoa powder, brittle mint and cinnamon too! Tobacco leaves, polished leather and teasing bourbon barrel char round out the palate, emerging more prominently towards its warming finish. A classic!
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 97
(Note: This whiskey will be released in late September. )
I was honored to have a taste with you over the weekend, John, and the experience emphasized what the Scots have known for years: blending can enhance the whiskey-drinking experience tremendously. I hope other American distilleries take this cue and start making an effort to create new and different expressions by vatting what’s already available to them.
Indeed, Sam. I plan on blogging about this topic soon.
Oh, and I just noticed that I accidentally rated this whiskey a 96, when I meant to score it a 97. A typo. (No copy-editing in the blogging world, I’m afraid.) I corrected it. Sorry for any confusion. Yes, it’s only one point. But at this level, one point means a lot.
[...] Hansell gives super-high marks to the Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary” whiskey. Not sure if this is bourbon or rye, but notice the “e” in whiskey. He also reviews [...]
Oh, and BTW, this is a bourbon, in case you didn’t know. I tagged it as a bourbon. Sorry for the confusion.
[...] Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary” bourbon [...]
[...] Heaven Hill has already released a whiskey in his honor. It’s Parker’s Heritage Collection “Golden Anniversary,” and it’s a fantastic bourbon. You can check out my review here. [...]