BrokeCal Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) Hey guys, I'm hoping someone familiar with Heaven Hill can help me out. I purchased a bottle of EWSB 2009 and compared it to a bottle of Black I have. The Black was darker! Somewhat significantly, either Black is aged for longer than the 7.5 years the SB was or they are adding coloring to the standard Black label. Secondly the SB had some particles in it, and the mouth feel was significantly silkier and more satisfying, it definitely isn't filtered as much as the Black, the Black label seemed darn right watered down in comparison to the SB yet they have the same proofage. What do you guys think? Edited February 23, 2019 by BrokeCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, BrokeCal said: Hey guys, I'm hoping someone familiar with Heaven Hill can help me out. I purchased a bottle of EWSB 2009 and compared it to a bottle of Black I have. The Black was darker! Somewhat significantly, either Black is aged for longer than the 7.5 years the SB was or they are adding coloring to the standard Black label. Secondly the SB had some particles in it, and the mouth feel was significantly silkier and more satisfying, it definitely isn't filtered as much as the Black, the Black label seemed darn right watered down in comparison to the SB yet they have the same proofage. What do you guys think? Age isn't everything with color, that batch of black might have more bourbon from a higher floor of the rickhouse, and really no two barrels are the same, one thing is for certain, there is no coloring in it. Single Barrels also can vary wildly and the point in many ways is to find ones that are unique, so it's not really apples to apples to compare one to such a large batch product like EWB. Edited February 23, 2019 by kevinbrink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosmith Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 EW black is reputed to be 5 - 6 yo. Used to have a 7 yr age statement that was dropped some years ago. So no way would HH be using 7+ yo barrels in their bottom of the line expression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 Well, location of the barrel aside, though I would hope Heaven Hill would use barrels located higher in the rickhouse for Single Barrels, the difference isn't slight. My cheap handle of EWB is plainly, obviously darker than this 7.5 year SB. It's just something I would not have expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 One thing is for sure... these 2 bourbons are way to close in quality to justify spending $30 for a 750ml of SB compared to a handle of Black for $16. A handle at that price amounts to a 750ml costing $7. $7 compared to $30? Haha, no thanks. (Yes I'm very value oriented, hence my name). I'll be sticking to Elijah Craig when I want a better expression of Heaven Hill's standard mashbill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 6 hours ago, BrokeCal said: Well, location of the barrel aside, though I would hope Heaven Hill would use barrels located higher in the rickhouse for Single Barrels, the difference isn't slight. My cheap handle of EWB is plainly, obviously darker than this 7.5 year SB. It's just something I would not have expected. Why would you hope that HH use upper floor barrels for the Single Barrel iteration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 I like big bold oaky flavors. The higher the floor the better for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonNit Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Has anyone had the 1783 recently? It was supposed to be a favorite of Parker. I also find EWB to be a great pour for its price and wondering if 1783 might be a small step up in quality? Haven’t had it in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiserhog Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 (edited) I've tried of all EW's and my favorite is the Bottled in Bond White Label, then 1783, Single Barrel, and Black Label. Contrarian, I know. Edited February 24, 2019 by kaiserhog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonNit Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 I've tried of all EW's and my favorite is the Bottled in Bond White Label, then 1783, Single Barrel, and Black Label. Contrarian, I know.Sounds promising can’t really argue with this. Do wish they put the SB out at a higher proof. I have a bottle Parker’s 11th it’s supposed to have a 1783 profile, with more years and barrel proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 9 hours ago, HoustonNit said: Has anyone had the 1783 recently? It was supposed to be a favorite of Parker. I also find EWB to be a great pour for its price and wondering if 1783 might be a small step up in quality? Haven’t had it in years. Last one I bought was two or three years ago it is still here and still open, in that time I'm sure I've finished multiple bottles of all of the other EW bourbon's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosmith Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 15 hours ago, kaiserhog said: I've tried of all EW's and my favorite is the Bottled in Bond White Label, then 1783, Single Barrel, and Black Label. Contrarian, I know. Contrarian maybe but that would be my ranking too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiserhog Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 (edited) On 2/24/2019 at 5:34 PM, HoustonNit said: Sounds promising can’t really argue with this. Do wish they put the SB out at a higher proof. I have a bottle Parker’s 11th it’s supposed to have a 1783 profile, with more years and barrel proof. I always wondered why Single Barrel was only 90 proof. I am not complaining though with 1.75 liter bottle of Bottled in Bond at $23 at my local liquor store. Edited March 7, 2019 by kaiserhog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiserhog Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 On 2/25/2019 at 8:50 AM, fosmith said: Contrarian maybe but that would be my ranking too. I propose a toast of Bottled in Bond to all contrarians! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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