Cadenhead Original Collection Heaven Hill 12yo American Bourbon

Description

It’s good to see Wm Cadenhead getting back to their roots, as a supplier of not only Scottish products but also high quality international spirits.  And this Heaven Hill now joins these ranks.

Heaven Hill is a massive distillery based in Louisville, Kentucky.  And by massive I mean approximately 98 million litres of spirit annually. And according to the splendid Clay Risen book, Bourbon, that means HH is pumping out 1,300 barrels a day!  And the numbers get even bigger when you consider that the distillery is holding some 1.6 million barrels in storage.

Founded in 1935, Heaven Hill from its inception has remained independent.  And their most famous brands? Heaven Hill, of course, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig.

The mash bill for Heaven Hill has a big dose of wheat in it: 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley.

My rough notes read, “Fresh, integrated, lively, spicy oak, creamy fudge. Dry spicy wood entry, great length with width and testure, well balanced, toffee, ginger, lingering. Ace.”

From DramFace, “Well-rounded and satisfying. Hickory chips, dried fruit, walnuts and dusty cinnamon. Fruitier than I anticipated, with green mango. Fennel, chocolate, dill, pine cones and woody in places with some nougat as well”.

Cadenhead’s notes read, “he appealing sweetness is evident from the nose and carries on consistently through the dram in the form of tropical fruit notes. The finish reminded the panel of a piña colada cocktail”.