Tag: Heaven Hill Distilleries Page 1 of 3

Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. is a private, American family-owned and operated distillery founded in 1935 and headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky, that produces and markets the Heaven Hill brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and a variety of other distilled spirits.

The Heaven Hill brands include:
Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Heaven Hill Bourbon, Pikesville Bourbon, Rittenhouse Rye whiskey.

Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/24/2023

In Rye Whiskey

This bottle of Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye whiskey has been in my cupboard for a couple of years after the hubby brought it back from a trip to the UK. I have been in the mood for something more spicy after the sweetness of the last couple of weeks, so a rye whiskey is perfect.

Pikesville Rye whiskey was initially produced in Maryland by L. Winand & Brothers Distillery, established in 1895. The brand went through several changes of ownership and survived Prohibition. The last batch of rye whiskey was produced in Maryland in 1972 by the Majestic Distilling Corporation.

In 1972 Majestic Distilling closed down. However, they left enough filled barrels, and the brand continued until 1982. In 1982, Heaven Hill bought the brand. Heaven Hill released the Pikesville Rye in 2015, and it is currently produced at the Bernheim Distillery.

Also Read: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye

Heaven Hill has an extensive whiskey and bourbon brand collection, and the Evan Williams, Rittenhouse and Henry McKenna brands fall under their banner. They are the biggest privately owned whiskey company in the USA.

The mash bill for the Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey is 51% rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley. Compared to the other rye whiskies I have tried, this is the bare minimum rye to quality as a rye whiskey. The Jack Daniel’s Rye and the Bulleit Rye are considerably higher with 70% and 95%, respectively.

Another different aspect is the higher ABV when looking at the other rye releases. Sazerac and Bulleit Rye has a 45% ABV while the Pikesville rye is at 55% (110 proof).

Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey Review

The Pikeville Rye is a 6 year old release.

REGION: USA

ABV: 55%

COLOUR: Pale copper

NOSE: The nose is subtle with hints of grassy rye, brown sugar, oak, pepper and baking spices. Hints of cherry and liquorice in the background. A whiff of alcohol on the first sniff, so let it stand a few minutes.

PALATE: The Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey starts quite spicy with notes of cloves, pepper and rye spices, but then comes red fruits and cherries with toasted oak. Maple syrup sweetness balances out the spicy notes. Not as spicy or complex as some of the other rye releases I have tried, but it is relatable and easy to drink. A few drops of water cool down the alcohol heat.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of vanilla, cinnamon spice and bits of drying oak. A faint dark chocolate-covered cherry note makes me want to go back to try this rye again.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a drinkable bottle of rye whiskey. Not quite as spicy as I expected, which is a good thing. I have a sweeter palate, and some rye releases can quickly become too spicy. It does need a few minutes to breathe and a few drops of water to cool down the alcohol heat, but this is an impressive rye.

The Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey retail for around $58. I will pick up another bottle when I travel again.

Also Read: Pike Creek 10 year old Whisky

Heaven Hill Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/23/2022

In Bourbon whiskey

With the fall of the South African Rand against most currencies, my little hobby is becoming expensive. So image my surprise when I walked past a liquor shop that had some “bargain bourbon”. It was the Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey.

At about R150 and in a glass bottle, this looked interesting. I was, however, sceptical about the quality. I first went to visit Google; just to see if I am buying a real bargain or a cheap knock off.

Some reviewers think that this no age statement, screw-top Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey is not too bad. According to my research, it will not win international prizes for complexity, but it is, according to some people, drinkable and affordable.

So, I bought it, and we are going to give it a try. Heaven Hill was founded in Bardstown, Kentucky shortly after Prohibition ended in the US. The Shapira family wanted to produce and market bourbon and premium American whiskeys. During the 1990s the Heaven Hill company diversified their portfolio.

They acquired more brands and obtaining import rights for gin, malt whiskey vodka and various other liqueurs and spirits brands. Today, Heaven Hill is the seventh-largest distributor of bourbon in the US. Other brands in their portfolio include Evan Williams and Elijah Craig bourbon whiskey and Rittenhouse Straight Rye whiskey.

In 2014, the name changed to Heaven Hill Brands. The Heaven Hill company remain independently owned. The Heaven Hill bourbon whiskey is aged for about 4 years.

Related Article: Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon

Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Not as dark as some of my other bourbons. It has a pale golden mahogany colour.

NOSE: Not quite as rich as its peers. There are notes of condensed milk, caramel and fruit mixed with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. There is a bit of alcohol bite on the nose. Not a very complex nose.

PALATE: Slightly more complex, but still not equal to some of our other bourbons. There are notes of spice, caramel sweetness. A bit of bitter orange in the background. Water softens the alcohol bite and makes it marginally smoother. The Heaven Hill bourbon is medium-bodied.

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of inoffensive spice.

RATING: GOOD

I suspect that this Heaven Hill bourbon whiskey might work great in marinades for meat. For some or other reason, this bourbon reminds me of the old spaghetti westerns.

The scene: A bar in a small town in the middle of a God forgotten, desert area. The good guy (Clint Eastwood) riding into town on his horse, to track down the bad guy. The bad guy is sitting in the bar, drinking a bourbon neat, the bottle next to him: this bottle of Heaven Hill Old Style bourbon.

And when Clint Eastwood enters the bar, the Heaven Hill is the first thing he shoots at. The glass bottle next to the bad guy explodes as Clint’s bullet eliminates it. And then the fighting starts. Can you picture it?

Also Read: Evan Williams Bourbon

Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/11/2021

In Whisky Comparison

In this engaging three-part comparison series, I embark on a journey to dissect two iconic American whiskey giants: Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

My exploration commenced with a clash between Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, a showdown that divided our preferences. John leaned towards the robust charms of Jim Beam, while I preferred the smoothness of Jack Daniel’s.

Ultimately, the mellow notes of Jack Daniel’s, characterized by its blend of easy-drinking qualities, sweet vanilla, and toasted oak, clinched victory.

Next, on our tasting odyssey, we ventured into a captivating battle between Evan Williams and Jim Beam bourbon. Choosing a favourite between these two proved to be a more intricate challenge. However, the Jim Beam surged ahead. Its slightly heightened complexity and overall drinkability took centre stage, casting a formidable shadow over Evan Williams.

And now, my voyage through the world of American whiskey brings us to the eagerly anticipated Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s showdown. These releases share a similar price range and boast global recognition.

Evan Williams Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with glass b

Evan Williams, a distinguished straight bourbon from the Heaven Hill range, traces its origins back to 1783 when Evan Williams commenced bourbon distillation in Kentucky.

Heaven Hill introduced this specific bourbon release to the American market in 1957, and it continues to be distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. With an age spanning 5-7 years, Evan Williams’ mash bill comprises 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, retailing for R250 in South Africa.

Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Old No 7 with glass b

On the other side of the ring stands Jack Daniel’s, a legendary Tennessee whiskey that began its journey around 1875 thanks to the vision of Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel. His innovative Lincoln County process, which involves filtration through sugar maple charcoal before maturation, distinguishes this whiskey as a Tennessee classic.

While the distillery remained in Jack’s family until 1956, it subsequently found a new home with Brown-Forman. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey features a mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley, and after charcoal filtration, the new spirit ages for a minimum of 4 years in new charred American oak barrels.

Evan Williams Bourbon vs Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel's Whiskey Comparison

	Evan Williams Bourbon	Jack Daniel's Old no 7
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Tennessee Whiskey
Mash Bill	78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye	80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Dark reddish gold	Light amber
Nose	While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex.	Quite sweet with honey, vanilla and toasted oak with a hint of smoke. Dried red fruit and marzipan.
Palate	It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel.	Oak and butterscotch sweetness. A hint of sour cherries and cereal. Bits of fruit and loads of vanilla. It is quite an oily whiskey and has a medium body.
Finish	A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.	Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice.
My Rating	Good	Very Good
Price	$12	$27

To maintain objectivity, we conducted a blind tasting, ensuring our personal biases would not influence the evaluation. Evan Williams bourbon whiskey has notes of toasted oak, vanilla, orange peel, and corn syrup, accompanied by a discernible alcohol burn. It showcases a straightforward profile but lacks complexity.

On the other side, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey offers oak, cherries, and cereal with hints of vanilla. It proves to be a smoother, more easily sippable option, though not exceptionally complex.

Placed side by side, Jack Daniels emerges as the clear standout, boasting a richer sweetness and greater depth on the palate, with cherry and vanilla notes accentuated in comparison to Evan Williams.

Evan Williams embodies the quintessential bourbon character, but I found it one-dimensional with unwelcome raw alcohol notes. Unlike Jack Daniel’s, its sweetness leans towards a corn syrup artificiality. The finish on Evan Williams is notably short and laden with spice.

In contrast, Jack Daniel’s offers an oily, longer finish. In our final verdict, Jack Daniel’s emerges as the more memorable and favoured choice between these two distinguished releases, a testament to its enduring legacy in American whiskey.

Also Read: Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams Bourbon

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/13/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Another fun side-by-side bourbon comparison, and this time I am looking at the Evan Williams vs Jim Beam bourbon whiskey. As part of my comparison series, I put these two well know budget brands next to each other so you can make an informed buying decision.

Two of the most famous bourbon whiskey brands on the market are Jim Beam and Evan Williams. These bourbons are available in many countries around the world. Both brands have histories that date back a long time. But if you can get only one bottle, which bottle is worth buying?

Evan Williams Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey with glass b
The Evan Williams Straight bourbon whiskey is a brand from the Heaven Hill range. Evan Williams decided to settle in Kentucky, which is where he began distilling his bourbon in 1783.

This specific bourbon release was first introduced to the American market in 1957. Evan Williams is distilled at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

It is between 5-7 years old. The Evan Williams’ mash bill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye. It retails for R250 in SA and around $12 in the USA. In the UK this bottle retail for about £25 on Amazon.

Over on THIS blog post I explored more comparisons with other Evan Williams releases.

Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Jim Beam Bourbon White with glass
Jim Beam is one of the best selling brands of bourbon in the world. In the early 1700s, a group of German immigrants moved to Kentucky to farm the new land. Jacob Beam (Boehm) grew grains and corn. The region allowed abundant cereal farming.

In 1795 he founded Jim Beam and used his excess grain to distil whiskey. He began selling it under the name of Old Jake Beam, and in 1820 his son David began managing the distillery. The distillery and brand grew from strength to strength. In 2014, Suntory Holdings acquired Jim Beam to create Beam Suntory.

The Jim Beam Straight bourbon whiskey is distilled at lower temperatures and aged for 4 years in oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. It retails for around $15 in the USA and is readily available. I have seen this on Amazon for around £28.

I have also done a side by side comparison between the Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s whiskey comparison.

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey Comparison

	Evan Williams Bourbon	Jim Beam Bourbon
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill	78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye	75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Dark reddish gold	Golden Mahogany
Nose	While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex.	Subtle vanilla, spice, pine forests, toasted oak and lemon zest with hints of toffee. Sticky pudding and caramelized fruit.
Palate	It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel.	Spicy with toasted oak and mint freshness. Hints of dry paper and pepper. A faint hint of vanilla. Water brings more citrus and pepper. It has a light body and is not very complex.
Finish	A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.	Long and dry with citrus and pepper.
My Rating	Good	Very Good
Price	$12	$15

It was not difficult to choose the one I prefer. Even in our blind tasting, the difference between the Jim Beam and the Evan Williams is noticeable. The Evan Williams is more bourbon-y, meaning that it has the expected textbook bourbon notes that I was looking for with toasted wood and vanilla.

However, it was very one dimensional and had raw alcohol notes that were not pleasant. The sweetness was also more corn syrup and less warming caramel. The finish was short and has a lot of raw alcohol notes.

The Jim Beam was less bourbon’y, with the oak and vanilla notes being less prominent. However, the sweetness was more caramel, and the taste was a bit more complex. There was notes of mint, lemon zest and caramelised fruit. It also had a bit more of a pepper bite. The Jim Beam gets my vote in this round.

At the price point, you get what you pay for. These are some of the cheapest bourbons available, and if you want to experience bourbon, I would instead add a couple of bucks and look at the Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey. If you are looking for an affordable drink to add to your cola or lemonade, this will work very well.

The last comparison in this three some is where I looked at the Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

KFC and Bourbon pairings

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 05/07/2021

In Lifestyle

Top KFC and Bourbon Pairings to try this weekend
In my house, take away is a treat. We only eat it when I have not had any time to cook, or when the weekend was just so lazy that I could not bother. One of our preferred fast-food is KFC.

And it seems that I am not alone in loving the crispy fried chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is the most prolific brand in South Africa, with over 800 stores spread across the land. Kentucky in KFC and Kentucky in bourbon made me think… would the two work together?

You know I am always up for experimenting, so this past weekend, off I went to KFC for a bucket of chicken. John was in the mood for Zinger wings, so I grabbed a few of those as well.

In the summer of 1955, Colonel Harland Sanders was a relatively unknown entrepreneur in Corbin, Kentucky, with a roadside restaurant, a fried chicken recipe, some spices, and a dream. He probably messed up his wife’s kitchen and drove her crazy; he looked at using a pressure cooker for cooking the chicken quickly.

The Colonel identified the potential to franchised this idea to bring it into the fast-food market. As competitors could easily use the pressure cooker, he came up with exciting herbs and spice combination to make his chicken stand out.

The Colonel’s original recipe of 11 herbs and spices is one of the best-kept trade secrets in the catering industry. Many people have claimed to have discovered it. Going to the KFC down the road is so much easier than messing up my kitchen.

Also Read: Whisky Truffles Recipe

Pairing Bourbon with KFC

KFC and Bourbon pairing to try this weekend

Pairing bourbon with fried chickenis about finding balance. The bourbon’s spices and sweetness should not overpower the well-known crunchy crust of the KFC but work together to enhance the flavourful juicy meat. KFC is very much comfort food.

When you are travelling across the globe, and you need some comfort, there is bound to be a KFC not far off. Pairing this with bourbon might just create a match made in foodie heaven…Let’s try…

I first lined up the bourbons from my favourite (Makers Mark) to my least favourite (Elijah Craig). Then for ‘testing purposes’added the Jack Daniel’s at the end of the line. The results were interesting, and not what I expected. I also rated the chosen bourbon suitability with the Zinger wings as the results were quite different from the friend chicken bourbon pairing.

Makers Mark Bourbon & KFC

KFC and Bourbon Makers Mark bourbon pairing
One of my favourite bourbons! The Makers Mark is probably the bourbon I replace most often. The notes of condensed milk, cherries, brandied fruit, toasted oak and sweet vanilla and cinnamon spice are just so satisfying. It is wonderfully smooth with a fantastic balance between the vanilla sweetness and the cinnamon toasted oak spicy notes.

However, this was the worst pairing with the KFC. It just created a peppery, spicy combination that made my eyes water. I looked up at John and realized he felt the same way. I give this pairing a RATING: 2/5.

John sees himself as a bit of a Zinger Wings connoisseur. He has tried Zinger Wings on various continents, and when he paired the Zinger Wings with the Makers Mark, he had a big smile on this face. The Makers Mark worked perfectly with the spicy Zinger Wings. No surprise that I give this KFC and Bourbon pairing a RATING: 4.5 / 5.

Eagle Rare Bourbon & KFC

KFC and Bourbon eagle rare bourbon pairing
Next up was the Eagle Rare that was our first Bourbon for 2017. Not as sweet as other bourbons, the Eagle Rare had notes of vanilla, toffee sweetness, brandy pudding, fresh-cut flowers, hints of toasted oak and pepper, chilli peppers, nuts, and creamy cocoa.

This pairing offered nothing. You taste KFC, you taste Eagle Rare, but nothing special. Thus, I give this KFC and Bourbon pairing a RATING: 2.5 /5.

Pairing it with Zinger Wings was disastrous. John described it as drinking methylated spirits. Not a good pairing at all. RATING: 1/5

Jim Beam Black & KFC

KFC and Bourbon Jim Beam Black bourbon pairing
Last year the Jim Beam Black bourbon impressed me. It is super affordable and delicious. Notes of cinnamon spice, cherries, lots of vanilla notes, BBQ sauce and hints of caramel. This Jim Beam has an unusual freshness, and it is smooth and creamy.

Pairing the KFC with the Jim Beam Black bourbon brought out lots of spices in the whiskey, while the chicken became sweeter and creamier. As a result, I give this pairing a RATING: 3.5/5.

The spicy Zinger Wings brought out lots of vanilla notes in the bourbon, and the pairing was quite lovely. Again, this KFC and Bourbon pairing gets a RATING: 3.5/5.

Elijah Crag 12 yo Bourbon & KFC

KFC and Elijah craig 12 yo bourbon pairing
I tasted the Elijah Craig 12 yo bourbon sometime in 2015 and found it quite bold. My notes captured hints of toasted warm oak spice, pepper and nutmeg, citrus peel, candy apple, toffee, Christmas pudding and cinnamon baked apples with faint bits of jasmin. Not a bourbon I drink regularly.

However, the KFC transformed this whiskey. It made the whisky creamy and smoothed out the spicy notes. The chicken became rich and delicious and the pairing was excellent. I give this pairing a RATING: 4.5/5.

And with Zinger Wings? Not so much. It did not work. Do not try. It gets a RATING: 1/5.

Also Read: Suncamino Rum Cocktails

Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey & KFC

KFC and Bourbon Jack Daniel's whiskey pairing

Purely for testing purposes, I grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 as well. Just to see if it did anything with the KFC. My notes for Jack Daniels include butterscotch sweetness with some honey, vanilla and oak with a hint of smoke, dried fruit and marzipan.

O WOW. Paired with the KFC chicken, this was great. Both elements were creamy and rich, and the vanilla and charred oak of the Jack Daniels enhanced the chicken. I give this pairing a RATING: 4.5/5.

Zinger Wings? No, the wings did nothing for the Tennessee whiskey and visa versa. I give it a RATING: 2/5.

Conclusion:KFC and Bourbon Pairings

The best whiskey to grab when you have KFC is an Elijah Craig or Jack Daniel’s Old No 7. It just creates a comfort food pairing with which you can relax.

The best whiskey to pair with Zinger Wings was the Makers Mark. It balanced out the spicy wings very nicely. In a pinch, the Jim Beam Black is probably the best all-round bourbon whiskey to pair with anything from KFC. There you go. Dinner sorted. 😉

What do you think?

Also Read: My Top 5 Whisky Food pairings