William Heavenhill Signature Bourbon

[theglobalguy]

HH has a long history of selling overaged Bourbon in Japan, stuff they didn't even try to sell here.

Sure you didn't mean to type "overpriced"?

[fishnbowljoe]

IIRC, the first bottling back in 2008 was done to celebrate what would have been the 225th birthday of William Heavnhill. Whether by chance or choice, it was also 225 months old.

I'm sure my palate and tastes have changed a lot since 2008. I was pretty new to bourbon back then. The William Heavenhill might have been the first barrel proof bourbon I ever tasted. I remember it as being hot, and a bit woody. Knowing what I know now about HH bourbons, there was also some of that eucalyptus/citrus flavor. I sure wouldn't mind giving it another try if I could. I've become a bit more accustomed to barrel proofers, and I'm liking HH products more and more lately.

Cheers! Joe

[Wryguy]

Thanks for the perspective Joe and squire, always appreciated. It's always interesting to hear about the evolution of personal tastes and how things change/stay the same and how growing knowledge and experience inform those past tastings in the mind's eye.

Edited May 17, 2013 by Wryguy

[squire]

My comment was based on a conversation I had with some HH employees about 25 years ago regarding their sales of old, woody Bourbons in Japan and the prices paid for them there. Consensus was they believed American customers wouldn't tolerate the stuff.

Apparently that's not the case now.

[theglobalguy]

My comment was based on a conversation I had with some HH employees about 25 years ago regarding their sales of old, woody Bourbons in Japan and the prices paid for them there. Consensus was they believed American customers wouldn't tolerate the stuff.

Apparently that's not the case now.

[squire]

Price aside yes, I may not choose to buy one of these limited bottles but am appreciative of the fact that I can.

I'm aware of two older expressions HH has been marketing in Japan for the last 30 years or so, a 15 year Evan Williams (Red Label I believe) and a 23 year old, both 86 proof I think but couldn't swear to it.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I will agree that they were both originally slated for the export market,but the EW23 was 107prf and the EW15 was 101 I was unaware of any lowered proof releases but I also may be wrong,hard to keep up with everything.:grin:

[squire]

I don't know where I got the 86 proof Ryan, I think it's something Tim Sousley told me years ago.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

This does not pertain to HH. But I snapped a pic of the 4R limited single barrel pallot that is headed for Japan. They are in the back up against the wall. when I asked if that was it heading to Japan, they said yes.

[silverfish]

I'm aware of two older expressions HH has been marketing in Japan for the last 30 years or so, a 15 year Evan Williams (Red Label I believe) and a 23 year old, both 86 proof I think but couldn't swear to it.

The EW "red label" is a 12 year and 101 proof. The 23 year "blue wax" is 107 proof.

[squire]

Okay, which one was the 15 year, a burgundy label?

[squire]

Or was the red label previously a 15 year which now a 12?

[silverfish]

Okay, which one was the 15 year, a burgundy label?

Sorry to sidetrack the thread but yes, the 15 is a burgundy colored label.

The bottle shape I've seen is more like a wine bottle and not standard EW

squarish style. BE lists the 15 year proof as 101.

[Virus_Of_Life]

This does not pertain to HH. But I snapped a pic of the 4R limited single barrel pallot that is headed for Japan. They are in the back up against the wall. [ATTACH]15405[/ATTACH] when I asked if that was it heading to Japan, they said yes.

What does that have to do with the subject of this thread?

[wheatfield]

So has anyone tasted the Heavenhill Signature stuff? More interested in the younger 2012 bottling.

[johnm13]

i have had the newer, younger version of WH and it is very hot but full of flavor. i prefer it to the 23yr EW i had right before it.

[Meruck]

I have both releases, posted this in the barrel proof thread

Tonight we go back in time and pay homage to a master; William Heavenhill.

This bottle is the second in the series, perhaps I should have gone with the first, first. But I didnt.

127.6 proof.

Luscious is the first word that comes to mind, followed by chewy and then....dam good whiskey. I think I will keep it dry tonight. Its just really so very good as it is.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14951[/ATTACH]

[Pirate762]

I have had the 225 month version at the gift shop. It was very, very good IMHO. I also purchased a bottle at the Gala auction in 2011. I would love to have it on a regular basis but the $500.00/bottle price, coupled with the very limited availability, makes it not so easy to do.

[The Black Tot]

I bought one of these in March 2014 that had a red (burgundy) colored label to it.

I should have taken tasting notes, because I'm away from home at present.

It was $129 at the gift shop, and so was the POH next to it.

So far, all I can offer is that for me, the POH blew it away, and I felt like the WHH was, while not necessarily bad in any way, a waste of money.

I'll report back with a proper review after I get home.

tbt

[jwvoytus]

I bought one of these in March 2014 that had a red (burgundy) colored label to it.

I should have taken tasting notes, because I'm away from home at present.

It was $129 at the gift shop, and so was the POH next to it.

So far, all I can offer is that for me, the POH blew it away, and I felt like the WHH was, while not necessarily bad in any way, a waste of money.

I'll report back with a proper review after I get home.

tbt

I am glad to hear you say this. I was at the gift shop for the first time ever (live in nj) and passed on the WHH, even though it was one of the few 'gift shop only' products there. Thought about it long and hard but it just didn't seem worth it. And what is the deal with POH being $130 at the gift shop but $90 msrp? Was kind of disappointed there.

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[squire]

Perhaps part of it is the story of how you got a bottle your friends don't have. Can't just get this stuff anywhere 'ya know.

[jwvoytus]

Yeah but I don't think I have enough friends who would appreciate the rarity. I love hunting for stuff but this felt like killing a rhino in a game preserve, and paying a lot for the privilege.

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[The Black Tot]

I am glad to hear you say this. I was at the gift shop for the first time ever (live in nj) and passed on the WHH, even though it was one of the few 'gift shop only' products there. Thought about it long and hard but it just didn't seem worth it. And what is the deal with POH being $130 at the gift shop but $90 msrp? Was kind of disappointed there.

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[mbroo5880i]

I would love to have a bottle of this bourbon! Heck, who wouldn't. But, I am ok with it be offered only at the GS and the price. It just makes me appreciate having access to HH, EWSB, Larceny, etc. at the prices I do.