Black Maple Hill

[Chewvenile]

Picked up a bottle of this randomly over the weekend. I can't seem to find much info on it. Does anyone have a clue what the age is? According to my research, earlier releases vary in years. Thanks for any help!

[petrel800]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Black+Maple+Hill+Straightbourbon.com

Welcome to the forum.

[Chewvenile]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Black+Maple+Hill+Straightbourbon.com

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you for that. I actually found this site in search of this recent release of BMH, on one of those fascinating search engines. I've found info on the previous releases such as the 11, 14, 16, 18, and 20 year old; but nothing indicates the age of this recent release. I understand that my post count must obviously mean I do not know how to use google. I figured since I could not find it anywhere else, someone on a bourbon forum may know. Thanks for anyone who can help.

[Trey Manthey]

Unless there is an age on the top front label, it is a "NAS" (no age statement) bottling. This is the standard release, and if I had to guess it would be between 4 - 6 years. However, the only guarantee is that it is at least 2 years old, as required by the "straight bourbon" category.

[Lost Pollito]

I believe Trey has nailed it for you. Here is a very nice article written about BMH from a couple of years ago. A deconstruction, courtesy of my favorite Bourbon writer, Kentucky Colonel Chuck Cowdery.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2011/03/deconstruction-of-black-maple-hill.html

[squire]

Chew, a Straight Bourbon is a minimum of 4 years unless the label says less. At 2-3 years it's still a straight but labeling laws say less than 4 years must be stated. Alternatively, it could contain older whisky (6-8-10 years) which is what the large houses do to maintain a flavor profile but a small outfit like KBD doesn't have the resource to make large vattings which is why bottling runs of BMH are variable.

[Chewvenile]

Thank you guys for the insight. I plan to open the bottle tomorrow to celebrate the 4th. Does anyone have an opinion on this recen BMH?

[squire]

Chew we refer to these as NDP (non-distilling producer) brands because they are produced and distributed by an owner who doesn't actually make whisky themselves. As a consequence it's difficult to make a broad assessment of a brand that may (often does) contain whisky from a different source in the next run.

After trying your bottle if you like it let me suggest you buy a few Heaven Hill brands for comparison and further tastings.

[sutton]

Thank you guys for the insight. I plan to open the bottle tomorrow to celebrate the 4th. Does anyone have an opinion on this recen BMH?

I've only had one BMH SmB, about a year and a half ago - it was OK, but I found it very corny - just reminded me of corn oil, actually. For the price, it was a pass. Hope your batch is better ...

[theglobalguy]

I had a bottle about a year back, remember it getting more and more peppery as the bottle aired out. I have a backup now i'm terrified to open since i've read such varied reviews.

I was shocked to see it jump from $35 to $51 in one year too.

[squire]

Oh go ahead and drink it, your heirs can buy their own.

[TunnelTiger]

Bought my first bottle of BMH yesterday while on Chinese take out run. Having some neet now. Should have searched the forum before I picked it up. Won't make that mistake again.

[hn4bourbon]

Bought my first bottle of BMH yesterday while on Chinese take out run. Having some neet now. Should have searched the forum before I picked it up. Won't make that mistake again.

What didn't you like about it? I finally gave in and bought a bottle from the frequent and many recommendations from the local stores. I find myself not liking it very much either.

[TunnelTiger]

It's just too smooth for the proof and really sort of bland. My palete not up to the majority here but it seems to have minimal amount of flavors. This is with out a doubt going end up being doused with diet coke until the bottle is empty.

[squire]

The current stuff is not the same whisky that was used to get the brand favorable comments in the past.

[TunnelTiger]

well it's ok with the dc but it will be my last purchase. Not nearly as complex flavor as AAA 10 Star, 4RYL, GD12, EWBIB, or WT101 which all are less expensive.

[hn4bourbon]

I'm going to give it more time and see if my view of this changes but it's sorta difficult to drink at the moment. Especially for $42, I'll probably spend the money on something else in the future.

[Stormeh]

I had BMH about a year ago, a few pours just to make sure I wasn't missing anything, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. Mediocre at best, and certainly overpriced.

[squire]

For that amount I can get four bottles of Barton.

[LostBottle]

It's just too smooth for the proof and really sort of bland. My palete not up to the majority here but it seems to have minimal amount of flavors. This is with out a doubt going end up being doused with diet coke until the bottle is empty.

If you found NAS Black Maple Hill to be kind of bland and boring, that actually means your palate is developed.

[hn4bourbon]

For that amount I can get four bottles of Barton.

[sutton]

I had a bottle a little over a year ago - took some time to empty and won't be repeating the purchase. The strangest bourbon I've had - oddly corny and oily, and it was that way first drop to last. Not my cup of tea.

[hn4bourbon]

I had a bottle a little over a year ago - took some time to empty and won't be repeating the purchase. The strangest bourbon I've had - oddly corny and oily, and it was that way first drop to last. Not my cup of tea.

Thank you for that description! That's how I would have described it if I knew how to put how i felt in words.

[NWBourbonDrinker]

I may be one of the few who actually likes it. I agree with the corn forward description and also think it has some complexity. My only issue with it is price. At $50 a bottle it seems to compare best with pours about $15 a bottle cheaper.

[squire]

It compares best with bottles $40.00 cheaper. The oily, corn, notes are characteristic of some young HH whiskys.