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

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, 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

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 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.

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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.

Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/28/2019

In Whisky Comparison

It is exciting to see more and more rye whiskies becoming available in South Africa. It adds a rich dimension to the whiskey tasting options available. Rye whiskey in South Africa is still relatively unknown, but slowly I am getting the opportunity to taste more and more of these spicier drams.

Today I am looking at a comparison between Sazerac rye vs Rittenhouse rye whiskey. From one of the first rye whiskies that I tried, the Rittenhouse rye to the latest rye whiskey I have tried, the Sazerac rye whiskey

Before Prohibition in the USA, rye whiskey distilleries dotted the Pennsylvania landscape. Rye was a popular grain in America. Rye grain is easy to grow and durable. Surplus rye was fermented and distilled, which was a cheaper option than transporting it to other areas. Rye has a more spicy palate compared to bourbons.

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

Sazerac rye whiskey is produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Other brands in the Buffalo Trace portfolio include WL Weller bourbon, Eagle Rare bourbon, Blanton’s bourbon and Fireball Cinnamon.

Sazerac Straight rye whiskey is aged for around 6 years and has a mash bill of over 51% rye. I love the old school bottle shape that stands out compared to the other standard bottles on my whisky shelf.

Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or “Monongahela” rye whiskies, Rittenhouse Straight rye whiskey is an acclaimed rye enjoying a comeback throughout the USA.

Heaven Hill Distilleries produce Rittenhouse rye. It is aged for 4 years.

Sazerac Rye vs Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

	Rittenhous Rye Whiskey	Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Type	Rye whiskey	Rye whiskey
ABV	40%	45%
Colour	Dark Gold	Dark gold with hints of red.
Nose	Spicy and rich. Notes of nutmeg, eucalyptus and vanilla. Faint hints of fresh cut grass, lemon blossom and liquorice.	Sweetness blended with a variety of spices. Bits of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. Woody notes with red berries, vanilla and caramel.
Palate	Freshly baked lemon and sugar biscuits and spices. Adding water releases more vanilla notes. Rich spices including warming pepper with a hint of dry oak. Medium Body.	Toasted oak notes with spices mixed with red berry and orange flavours, bits of toffee. Cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper heat with a vanilla and caramel creaminess. Medium body. Water tones down the spicy heat and makes it very drinkable.
Finish	Medium length that end in spicy lemon pepper notes .	Medium length ending in pepper spice and orange sweetness.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Comments	Delicious and different.	Smooth and easy drinking.
Price	$30	$35
Pairs well with	Milk chocolate, ribs and savory cornbread	Aged cheddar, jambalaya

If I had to do a blind taste test between these two rye whiskies, I don’t know if I will be able to tell them apart. They are so incredibly similar. From the colour to the spicy notes, these two rye whiskies are very much alike.

What the side by side tasting has shown, is the subtle differences between them, which was interesting. The Rittenhouse rye whiskey has a more lemony profile, where the Sazerac rye whisky has a more orangey profile.

The oak notes also differ slightly from dryer oak notes in the Rittenhouse Rye to more toasty oak notes in the Sazerac. The Sazerac Rye is somewhat smoother and more drinkable, but only marginally.

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Also Read: Pikesville Rye Whiskey

Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/05/2019

In Whisky Comparison

Welcome back to another exciting whiskey comparison. This time, we’re delving into the world of bourbon to pit two stellar releases from the renowned Heaven Hill Distillery against each other: Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams single barrel bourbon whiskey.

These two gems hail from the heart of bourbon country, Louisville, Kentucky. They stand as the flagship brands of Heaven Hill Distillery, a heavyweight in the American alcohol industry, ranking as the 7th largest alcohol supplier in the USA, boasting an impressive portfolio of bourbons and spirits.

But let’s cut to the chase – how distinct are these two bourbons when you put them head-to-head? Are there traces of a shared “family resemblance” when sipping them side by side, or are they so unique that you’d never guess they came from the same lineage?

First, let’s take a closer look at each of them individually.

Also Read: Chivas 12 vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon Whiskey

The origins of our first contender, Elijah Craig, can be traced back to the late 1700s when Reverend Craig founded a distillery in Virginia. Legend has it that after a fire damaged his barrels, the thrifty Reverend decided to fill the charred ones with whiskey.

Surprisingly, the whiskey from these charred barrels turned out to be superior. Thus, whether deservedly or not, Reverend Craig has been dubbed the “Father of bourbon whiskey.” Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon is the result, featuring a mash bill composed of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Meanwhile, our other contender, Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon, reigns as the second-largest-selling Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey in the United States.

The Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon, in particular, stands out with its vintage distinction, being a 2006 release. Each bottle proudly displays the year it was laid down in oak (in my case, 2006), the bottling date (April 16, 2015), and the unique serial number of the single barrel from which the bourbon was drawn (Barrel No. 108).

Aged for approximately 9 years, it’s hand-selected by the Master Distiller before being bottled as a Single Barrel release. Evan Williams boasts a mash bill comprising 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley, distinguishing it from its Elijah Craig counterpart.

Also Read: Jim Beam Doubled Oak vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

	The Elijah Craig 12 yo	Evan Williams Single Barrel
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
ABV	47%	43.3%
Mash bill	78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, and 10% Rye	75% corn, 13% rye and 12% barley
Colour	Dark red polished copper	Dark amber with hints of red
Nose	Quite spicy with bold notes of toasted oak spice, pepper, toffee, Christmas pudding and cinnamon baked apples. Floral notes, hints of jasmine flowers.	Sweetness and richness with buttery Christmas pudding. Cloves, cinnamon and oak as well as cherries and candied fruits. Faint hints of condensed milk and caramel.
Palate	Sweetness with touches of vanilla and nutmeg. There are notes of citrus peel, candy apple and warm oak. Medium bodied. Water softens the spicy notes and smooths the citrus.	Spicy pepper and cinnamon mixed with oak and bits of fruit. Medium body and not as sweet as the nose suggested. Water makes it easier drinking.
Finish	Medium length with sweetness and hints of flowers mixed with the vanilla and nutmeg.	Quite a long finish and ends in notes of spicy pepper and lemon peel.
My Rating	Very Good	Very Good
Comments	More sweetbness and nutmeg spice with vanilla	Warming pepper spices with oak
Price	$35	$33
Pairs well with	Aged Cheddar Cheese, salami and cold meat platter, KFC Chicken wings	Apple Pie, Flapjacks with maple syrup and bacon,

Now, onto the tasting notes. Elijah Craig 12yo bourbon greets your senses with a spicy kick on the nose and a peppery bite on the palate. Hints of bold oak and nutmeg dance on the taste buds, and when you think you have it figured out, the finish surprises you with a delightful sweetness.

On the other hand, Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon opens with sweeter notes, including vanilla and cinnamon, but takes a spicier turn toward the end, making for a longer and more fiery finish compared to Elijah Craig.

In the showdown between these two bourbons, I preferred Elijah Craig. I’m not alone in this sentiment, as feedback from friends on Twitter and Instagram echoed a similar sentiment. Many favoured the fruitier sweetness of the Elijah Craig 12 yo bourbon.

It’s truly fascinating to witness the stark differences between these two bourbon whiskey expressions originating from the same distillery. Elijah Craig and Evan Williams Single Barrel are prime examples of the rich diversity within the world of bourbon, offering unique flavour profiles that cater to a wide range of palates.

So, whether you lean towards the sweeter complexity of Elijah Craig or the spicy allure of Evan Williams, one thing is clear – Heaven Hill Distillery knows how to craft exceptional bourbons that stand out in their own right.

Cheers to the wonderful world of whiskey!

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Also Read: Singleton 12 vs Glenfiddich 12 yo Whisky