Parker's Heritage 11 vs. ECBP

[mwmac]

Just received email notifying me that I have "won" the chance to purchase a bottle of PHC 11 (at retail $129.95).  Have currently been enjoying immensely ECBP A117 and B517.  My question for those who have sampled the PHC 11 and the 2017 ECBP releases is simple:  Would you get the PHC 11 or round out the ECBP on hand with a couple of C917's?  In other words, is the PHC 11 such a distinctive quality release that it ranks as a must have in your opinion?

[graftonbc1]

I keep waiting for the ECBP C917s to appear in our area (New England), but so far they are no-shows.

 

PHC is good, but I do not think it is twice as good (or even better, IMO) than ECBP. My vote is that if you can get ECBP C917, go that route.

 

Ray

[lcpfratn]

I’d get both! [emoji2]


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[Clueby]

I think PHC is a more complex pour than ECBP with a little more going on. It doesn't have that intense explosion of flavor that many ECBP batches have. The current batches of ECBP are lacking a bit in that area as well although I haven't tried C. PHC has more of that HH nuttiness to it and can feel a bit "delicate" while still getting the age/oak but you can still get the family resemblance. 

No it's not "twice" as good as ECBP but its a different experience.

[kevinbrink]

2 hours ago, Clueby said:

I think PHC is a more complex pour than ECBP with a little more going on. It doesn't have that intense explosion of flavor that many ECBP batches have. The current batches of ECBP are lacking a bit in that area as well although I haven't tried C. PHC has more of that HH nuttiness to it and can feel a bit "delicate" while still getting the age/oak but you can still get the family resemblance. 

No it's not "twice" as good as ECBP but its a different experience.

Ditto

[tanstaafl2]

3 hours ago, lcpfratn said:

I’d get both!


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This is always the correct answer!

 

That said I haven't found that the newer ECBP's stand up to some of the earlier batches. The PHC does that but also stands on its own with a nice rich mouthfeel and solid but well balanced oak component. Is it worth twice as much? Hard to say but I would choose the PHC. There will likely be more ECBP batches to chase in the near future but probably not one like the PHC in the near future.

[jshleffar]

The Parker's may not be over twice as good as say, b517, but that doesn't mean it's not worth msrp. To me Stagg jr isn't 3 to 4 times worse than Stagg sr, but I'm still buying both. It's also pretty impossible to gauge 'twice as good' and if you could do that most people would just be stuck forever on whatever they liked best of er10, EC, HMCK etc level offerings.

[vrdubin6]

Hello fellow Boisean. I'd agree with the consensus to pick it up if you're a fan of Heaven Hill, which it seems you are. I've tried a sample and it's worth picking up if the cost doesn't sway you away. ECBP has always been readily available around here so you will more than likely be able to pick up another bottle whenever you want one. On the other hand, we had an extremely low allocation of PHC this year so I'd snatch it up if you won a shot at a bottle.

 

Cheers.

[Bob_Loblaw]

If it were only one or the other I would buy 2 ECBP over 1 PH11.  $130 was a little steep, although I am sure it is fantastic whiskey.  Mitchter's 10 $120 also fell into this category for me price-wise.  I would however, buy a Four Roses LE if given the opportunity and those are unfortunately $140-$150 also.  Don't know if I am cult status yet, but I have yet to have a bad 4R bottle across the entire line.  So, everyone may be slightly different.  

[0895]

I'll agree with others here and also add that the Parker's 11 has a more Evan Williams profile to it, rather than an Elijah Craig profile.

[Clueby]

13 hours ago, Clueby said:

I think PHC is a more complex pour than ECBP with a little more going on. It doesn't have that intense explosion of flavor that many ECBP batches have. The current batches of ECBP are lacking a bit in that area as well although I haven't tried C. PHC has more of that HH nuttiness to it and can feel a bit "delicate" while still getting the age/oak but you can still get the family resemblance. 

No it's not "twice" as good as ECBP but its a different experience.

Quoting myself here. I decided to revisit this tonight and I stand by what I wrote above. I picked up a little more oak and astringency on the finish than I remembered. I still think it has more in common with EC than EW but the difference seems a little more pronounced tonight than when I first opened it. My first taste I remember thinking it was like a good ECBP. More time with it shows it's a different animal.

Edited December 22, 2017 by Clueby

[RWBadley]

14 hours ago, Clueby said:

Quoting myself here. I decided to revisit this tonight and I stand by what I wrote above. I picked up a little more oak and astringency on the finish than I remembered. I still think it has more in common with EC than EW but the difference seems a little more pronounced tonight than when I first opened it. My first taste I remember thinking it was like a good ECBP. More time with it shows it's a different animal.

Is that a Schweddy Ball?

[BottledInBond]

I’d go Parker’s easily but that’s just me. ECBP is a permanent product line (as far as we know) and there will continue to be batches, some better than others. For me what is memorable are the bottles that stand out among the rest and make me really stop and think. This year’s Parker’s fits that bill. I’m in the camp that doesn’t worry about the price that much but if you’re going to spend that much money anyways (1 PHC vs 2 ECBP) go with the choice that has the higher probability of creating memories that will last. And if you need to make up for some volume consumption grab a couple bottled in bonds or OGD 114s at even cheaper prices to keep the bar stocked so you won’t feel bad about committing so much $ to the one PHC bottle. But again, this is just my opinion and other people have their own opinions. And our opinions are all correct, to ourselves. Cheers

Edited December 22, 2017 by BottledInBond

[mwmac]

Thanks for the thoughts and opinions!  I will pick up the PHC 11 later this week when the local store receives its next shipment.

 

[Ajparent]

Agree. Get the ph11. Limited edition bottle that you may kick yourself for not getting one day. 

[Special Reserve]

PHC all the way.  Their history is excellent if not outstanding.

[graftonbc1]

On 12/22/2017 at 2:36 PM, BottledInBond said:

I’d go Parker’s easily but that’s just me. ECBP is a permanent product line (as far as we know) and there will continue to be batches, some better than others. For me what is memorable are the bottles that stand out among the rest and make me really stop and think. This year’s Parker’s fits that bill. I’m in the camp that doesn’t worry about the price that much but if you’re going to spend that much money anyways (1 PHC vs 2 ECBP) go with the choice that has the higher probability of creating memories that will last. And if you need to make up for some volume consumption grab a couple bottled in bonds or OGD 114s at even cheaper prices to keep the bar stocked so you won’t feel bad about committing so much $ to the one PHC bottle. But again, this is just my opinion and other people have their own opinions. And our opinions are all correct, to ourselves. Cheers

I think this opinion well stated. I had posted  earlier the idea of worth, but after reading a few of the posts in this thread, but my statement may be short-sighted. With many things, it does come down to goals and vision, and bourbon enjoyment is no different. For me, I have reached a point where I know what I like, and I seek out values, expressions, and barrel selections for those drams. I am lucky to live close to a great liquor store that offers many tastings to help satisfy my curiosity. But others have different goals for their passion. Maybe that is a good way to handle purchase decisions; set a goal and vision for how you will best enjoy what you buy and what you want to collect. 

[Paddy]

^^^I'm shocked that no one has mentioned that this release coincides with the year of his passing.  There are no known guarantees as to how long this annual release will continue.  Parker was a iconic man who will always be held in the highest regard...may he rest in peace.