clarify the HH options here

[jmj_203]

Only a few months into bourbon but I have plenty of mid shelf offerings in my bar, ive been exploring value pours this week. I have a question you pros can answer likely. Ive loved most HH bourbons I have, i wanted to stock some HH 100. I see people rate the old age stated HH bib with much respect. Here i can only get 80 pf old HH and it has a lame 36 month age claim on back. I can special order 100 pf old HH but im curious is it going to have the same low age, and for those that enjoyed the Aged 6yrs is this stuff a thing of the past and you guys avoid the HH line since the lowered age. Maybe we just never got the good age stated oHH here, thats where im confused. Minimum order is low so maybe Ill just jump and report my tastings, but figured some Pa locals have tried it. Just three bottles but they will be fine mixers for my coke and whiskey friends if they are garbage.

Edited April 22, 2014 by jmj_203

[393foureyedfox]

Not garbage at all....I have more HH products here than any other distillery for a reason.

When I started out, I was also baffled by all the HH labeled bottles and not knowing the differences. I don't know what is or is not available in PA, but around here, there are lots, though I generally just buy two of the HH named bottles. Both are labeled as 6 years old; one is the white label 100 proof BIB, the other is the green label 90 proofer. They are $10 and $9, respectively. There is also a gold labeled HH BIB, though it is a 4 year. If you cant get any of these in PA, grab an EW BIB, as it's quite similar. Taste wise, and this is purely subjective, If I were to rank the BIBs from best to least, it would be HH 6 year white BIB, EW white BIB, and HH gold BIB.

So far, 6 year HH BIB is still easily available. Rumors pop up every now and then about it going away, but I see no indication of it yet. However, it wouldnt surprise me to find out tomorrow that it's true. So, I got a case and stashed it in the garage... at $125 for a case, why not? If it ever were d/c'ed though, I'd just make the small switch to EWBIB and barely notice it, other than the $3 premium for the name on the label.

enjoy!

[jmj_203]

Thanks for clarifying. The only Old HH we have here in pa is a white label, so not sure how that compares to yours, but the only available one I could purchase in store to sample was a white label Old Heaven Hill 80 proof. Its priced low but I know that means nothing. I have to crack it open tonight, the only thing I was concerned about is the statement on the back says they are matured for 36 months or something along those lines. So I can get the bonded 100proof, and I know it comes in a white labeled bottle, i'm just curious if it is likely going to have the 36 months statement, and if that is just a minimum and its closer to 4 years by the time its bottled. Either way I'm going to drop by the store tonight and have them order in 3 of the OHH BiB, Its only like $11 a bottle so it will get used. Thanks again, I'll post my results and thoughts when it comes in in a few days.

[squire]

jm I expect the BIB will be 4 years old as no one here has reported finding any of the HH BIBs at less than 4 and this is a pretty widespread crowd. At $11 I doubt it's six but still a bargain.

[Phil T]

Legally, BIB has to be at least 4yrs old

[393foureyedfox]

At $11 I doubt it's six but still a bargain.

I dont see why not.....the 6 year BIB white HH can be found here in Louisville between $9.90 and 11.50 everywhere, though I expect you are talking about prices in MS.

Legally, BIB has to be at least 4yrs old

true. both the gold and white labels are BIBs, one is 4 and one is 6, respectively. here are links to help you figure out some labels...

6 year 90: https://www.thepartysource.com/express/item.php?id=32983

6 year BIB: https://www.thepartysource.com/express/item.php?id=28221

with your continued mention of OHH, I wonder if you are talking about something else. The two links above are the ones I am talking about, and are labeled as "Heaven Hill, Old Style Bourbon".........there was/is a line of Old Heaven Hill that I think is d/c'ed now. I came to the party too late for it, but others may know. I think it was a 10 year OHH and recently an 8 year OHH (WI/RI only?) that was recently said to be d/c'ed.

[squire]

Very Rare Old Heaven Hill was a 10 then an 8 though it was also bottled in 10 and 8 year 86 proof versions.

[Parkersback]

Jared, you probably already know this, but a few other HH bottles that you may want to take a look at are:

- Fighting Cock. This is not BIB (right?), but it's around the proof you're looking for (103), and it's still age stated (6yrs). I haven't had a bottle in quite some time, but I've always liked it. It's sturdy bourbon.

- Old Ezra 101. This is not a HH brand, but the assumption of many is that it is distilled by HH (see Josh's review for info and tasting notes: http://sipologyblog.com/2011/02/28/review-old-ezra-101/). It's also age stated (7yrs). This is another totally respectable bottle, IMO.

- Evan Williams Single Barrel. Around 10 years old.

[jmj_203]

Jared, you probably already know this, but a few other HH bottles that you may want to take a look at are:

- Fighting Cock. This is not BIB (right?), but it's around the proof you're looking for (103), and it's still age stated (6yrs). I haven't had a bottle in quite some time, but I've always liked it. It's sturdy bourbon.

- Old Ezra 101. This is not a HH brand, but the assumption of many is that it is distilled by HH (see Josh's review for info and tasting notes: http://sipologyblog.com/2011/02/28/review-old-ezra-101/). It's also age stated (7yrs). This is another totally respectable bottle, IMO.

- Evan Williams Single Barrel. Around 10 years old.

Thanks I'll check some of those out. Regarding the name of our white label, I'll get a picture of the 80 proof later, and then when i get in the bonded. Its almost exactly the same as the white labeled 6 year BIB picture you posted, except it doesn't have the age statement "aged 6 years" sticker. It just says Heaven Hill, Old Style Bourbon. However when I look at our liquor store ordering lists they all label it "Old Heaven Hill 100 pf Bourbon" or "Old Heaven Hill 80 pf Bourbon". It may not even be considered bonded, maybe its just 100 proof Heaven Hill. I'm too new and I assumed 100 proofs were all considered bonded. So we'll see, I'll get a pic of it when i get it in. I don't think its a discontinued line, or older stock but I'll order in a few days.

Edited April 22, 2014 by jmj_203

[squire]

Well let us know, don't be surprised if it has a gold label.

[soad]

Thanks I'll check some of those out. Regarding the name of our white label, I'll get a picture of the 80 proof later, and then when i get in the bonded. Its almost exactly the same as the white labeled 6 year BIB picture you posted, except it doesn't have the age statement "aged 6 years" sticker. It just says Heaven Hill, Old Style Bourbon. However when I look at our liquor store ordering lists they all label it "Old Heaven Hill 100 pf Bourbon" or "Old Heaven Hill 80 pf Bourbon". It may not even be considered bonded, maybe its just 100 proof Heaven Hill. I'm too new and I assumed 100 proofs were all considered bonded. So we'll see, I'll get a pic of it when i get it in. I don't think its a discontinued line, or older stock but I'll order in a few days.

Just looked it up on the PLCB site. I'm 99% sure it is the the Gold Label 4year BIB........GET IT!!!!

For under $40 you can get three bottles of some darn fine bourbon.....sure the Evan Williams and White Labels are "better" but unless you want to drive to Kentucky your are not going to find those anywhere near good old PA.

I also recommend Old Ezra 101....If you live in Western PA and can get to Ohio you can pick it up there for $13 or so....

[jmj_203]

Just looked it up on the PLCB site. I'm 99% sure it is the the Gold Label 4year BIB........GET IT!!!!

For under $40 you can get three bottles of some darn fine bourbon.....sure the Evan Williams and White Labels are "better" but unless you want to drive to Kentucky your are not going to find those anywhere near good old PA.

I also recommend Old Ezra 101....If you live in Western PA and can get to Ohio you can pick it up there for $13 or so....

[393foureyedfox]

Fighting Cock and Ezra 101 are good mentions.

To me, if you like OGDBIB, youll likely like Fighting Cock....similar rye kick and both, to me, seem more like 110 proof than 100/103.

Ezra 101 is a good bourbon. Just different enough from HH6BIB to warrant trying it.

Both FC, and Ezra 101, here are $15-17.

I dont think you could go wrong with anything mentioned thus far.

It's not that the gold label HHBIB is bad, it is just that, around here, there is less than a $1 difference between it and the white label, and the white is a bit better, to me.

For $75 or less, you can grab one of everything mentioned here and have a good ol time comparing them!

[squire]

For $75 or less, you can grab one of everything mentioned here and have a good ol time comparing them!

[jmj_203]

HaHa, I like how you guys think. I placed the order last night, they called to confirm so we will see how long it takes. The person taking the order said "well they have to have it sent out within 30 days by law, but usually its out in the mail in 2 to 3 days. Will post up some thoughts when I get it, but if its even drinkable neat and at 11 bucks a bottle, its worth keeping around. Currently the pours I just love are all in the 25 to 50 range, namely EC12, ER10Yr, BT, Bulleit.

So I'm not real great at whats what yet as far as mashbills, just don't have them memorized yet. I had a pour of Maker's 46 last night that seriously had me amazed. I thought it was delicious. So is M46 considered a wheated bourbon? If so I will look for more in that style, but hopefully in the under $20 a bottle price. Not to derail my own topic, just to keep it mixed up until I receive the HH bottles.

[squire]

Yes, Makers 46 (or any Makers for that matter) is a wheat mash bill.

[393foureyedfox]

MM46 is a wheated expression, as is the whole Old Fitz/Larceny lineup from HH. MM46 has its own unique taste, kind of a caramel-vanilla heavy MM to me. I like it well enough, but find myself in the Larceny bottle more often. Larceny currently has a rediculously good rebate on it, you may want to look into that. Old Fitz BIB is another good one.

I started off not caring much for wheated bourbons, but have since come around to enjoying the sweet profile of them, given they are as close to 100 proof as possible.

[mbroo5880i]

My favorite two HH products are EWSB and Larceny, not top shelf or bottom shelf, just solid mid shelf offerings.

HH BIB 6-year is solid but I prefer EWSB, even at 2x the price.

[jmj_203]

MM46 is a wheated expression, as is the whole Old Fitz/Larceny lineup from HH. MM46 has its own unique taste, kind of a caramel-vanilla heavy MM to me. I like it well enough, but find myself in the Larceny bottle more often. Larceny currently has a rediculously good rebate on it, you may want to look into that. Old Fitz BIB is another good one.

I started off not caring much for wheated bourbons, but have since come around to enjoying the sweet profile of them, given they are as close to 100 proof as possible.

Fox i started just exploring, and honestly I am happy with every mid shelf bourbon under 40. The makers was my first wheated and it just struck me how different but still delicious bourbon it was. Ive seen comments and info on Larceny, I would buy it in a second but Larceny isnt available to us in Pa unless im missing some source. Drives me nuts realizing how much liquor is seperated by state lines since I got into bourbon, its just silly. Everything in this day and age should be available to everyone in this fine country, but thats the LCB at its finest.

Edited April 25, 2014 by jmj_203
spelling errors

[393foureyedfox]

I know, I am lucky living in the bourbon heartland. Id be surprised it if couldnt be found in PA though

[HighInTheMtns]

I know, I am lucky living in the bourbon heartland. Id be surprised it if couldnt be found in PA though

Larceny was only available in 12 markets upon its release a year and a half ago. Dunno if it has expanded but it's less widely distributed than you'd think.

[Tony Santana]

Larceny was only available in 12 markets upon its release a year and a half ago. Dunno if it has expanded but it's less widely distributed than you'd think.

I've never seen it in Wisconsin.

[jmj_203]

Lets not hope I fall TOO in love with the HHBiB when I get it. Yesterday (less than 24 hours after I posted this) I noticed it was gone from the special order page. Either I got the last ones or this post clued some people in and it was bought up. They still have a lot of others I need to try anyways. Old Fitz 1849, Old Forester 100, fighting Co**

Edited April 25, 2014 by jmj_203

[393foureyedfox]

FC is a good one to try. I find it a bit like OGDBIB in its kick. Never tried 1849, but the OFitzBIB is a good one to try if you can get it, and if you like wheaters with a bit of a kick. There are rumors of its demise, but its still everywhere here for now at least. I imagine if you took OFitzBIB and cut it to 92 proof, you'd have an approximation of the Larceny you cant find.

Tastes are subjective, but to me at least, I tend to stay away from buying BF and 4R products, as they just don't fit my taste profile. I've liked most every HH product I've tried though.

[HighInTheMtns]

FC is a good one to try. I find it a bit like OGDBIB in its kick. Never tried 1849, but the OFitzBIB is a good one to try if you can get it, and if you like wheaters with a bit of a kick. There are rumors of its demise, but its still everywhere here for now at least. I imagine if you took OFitzBIB and cut it to 92 proof, you'd have an approximation of the Larceny you cant find.

Tastes are subjective, but to me at least, I tend to stay away from buying BF and 4R products, as they just don't fit my taste profile. I've liked most every HH product I've tried though.

Well, all except for that one HH product, anyway

Did things work out so you can make it down to Bardstown?