Tag: Heaven Hill Distilleries Page 2 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.

KFC and Bourbon pairings

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 03/15/2017

In Lifestyle

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

Pairing bourbon with fried chicken is about finding balance. he 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

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

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 new. 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

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

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

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

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2006 Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/21/2016

In Bourbon whiskey

Today I look at the Evan Williams single barrel vintage 2006 straight Kentucky bourbon whiskey. This blog post marks the final chapter of my bourbon-tasting journey for 2016, and what a year it’s been – a whirlwind of flavours and experiences. Throughout the year, I had the privilege of sampling six bourbons and two rye whiskies.

But only two left an indelible mark on me. While my trusty Maker’s Mark and Bulleit bourbon bottles are nearly finished.

The bourbon releases I tried during the year from Heaven Hill left me wanting more. I used some Evan Williams Black Label in bourbon coffee, which used up some of the bourbon. The Heaven Hill Old Style bourbon is a delightful nectarine bourbon smash.

Fortunately, my cousin’s Texan husband is visiting soon, so I might have the perfect excuse to share these cocktails with him. However, I suspect these bottles might be in my collection for quite a long time before I can finish them.

After my recent experiences with bourbon releases, I’m somewhat hesitant to open another bottle. Nevertheless, sourcing affordable bourbon in South Africa has become increasingly challenging. Thus, I had no choice but to try Evan Williams Single Barrel, as it’s one of the few remaining options I’ve yet to explore.

Also Read: Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon

Founded by Evan Williams in 1783, it stands as Kentucky’s second-largest-selling bourbon whiskey in the United States. Evan Williams Single Barrel sets itself apart with its vintage designation. Each bottle proudly displays the year it was put into oak – in my case; it’s 2006 – as well as the bottling date (16 April 15) and the unique serial number of the single barrel it was drawn from (Barrel No 108).

Opening it can be a bit of a challenge due to the thick black wax seal. This bourbon ages approximately nine years before the Master Distiller selects and bottles it as a single barrel release.

Being a single-barrel bourbon means each bottle originates from an individual ageing barrel, resulting in a limited supply. It also means there’s no uniformity in colour and taste; each vintage offers a unique experience. Evan Williams single barrel vintage bourbon is available in South Africa and retails for around R450.

Now, the question arises: should I hunt down more cocktail recipes to savour this bourbon, or does it deserve a special place alongside my beloved Maker’s Mark? Let’s dive into the tasting.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 2006 Bourbon Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43.3%

COLOUR: Dark Amber with hints of red and copper.

NOSE: Evan Williams Single Barrel greets you with a quintessential bourbon nose. There’s an enticing sweetness reminiscent of buttery Christmas pudding, accompanied by notes of vanilla, oak, cherries, and candied fruits. In the background, subtle hints of condensed milk and caramel lurk.

PALATE: However, the palate delivers a twist. The sweetness and buttery richness the nose hinted at has taken a backseat. Instead, you’ll find a spicy interplay of vanilla and cinnamon mixed with oak and hints of fruit, all with a mild alcohol burn.

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and not as sweet as the nose may suggest. Evan Williams Single Barrel isn’t overly complex. Still, when water is added, it coaxes out the sweetness, making it more approachable and tempering the alcohol burn.

FINISH: The finish is relatively long, with the journey culminating in notes of spicy pepper and a subtle hint of lemon peel.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Evan Williams Single Barrel’s nose had me brimming with excitement, promising a rich, creamy experience one would expect from a 9 yo bourbon. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t quite match the grandeur of the nose, leaving me slightly disappointed. It’s a classic case of over-promise and under-deliver.

With the addition of water, some sweetness emerges, and the overall profile becomes gentler. However, I wonder if it might end up in a cocktail. My quest for something new, fresh, exciting, and affordable continues.

As part of my exploration, I conducted a side-by-side comparison between this Single Barrel release and the Elijah Craig 12 yo bourbon, and it’s remarkable how distinct they are despite both hailing from the same company.

Also Read: Koval Single Barrel Bourbon

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/10/2016

In Rye Whiskey

My first experience with rye whisky was earlier in the year when I tasted the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye. Rye based whisky is relatively unknown in SA. I liked the spiciness of rye and looked around for some more.

I saw a few more releases, such as the Pappy van Winkle Family Reserve 13 yo at R 19 000 a bottle. Hmmm; slightly out of my budget. Fortunately for me, I found this bottle of Rittenhouse Straight Rye whiskey at WhiskyBrother for a lot less.

Before Prohibition, rye whiskey distilleries dotted the Pennsylvania landscape. Rye was the most popular grain American farmers’ distilled regularly. Rye grain is easy to grow and durable. Surplus grain was fermented and distilled, which was a cheaper option than transporting it to other areas.

Also Read: Michter’s Single Barrel Rye

Produced in the tradition of the classic Pennsylvania or “Monongahela” rye whiskies, Rittenhouse is a well-known rye enjoying a comeback throughout the USA, as today’s American whisky consumer re-discovers classic whiskey styles.

Likewise, the brand is beloved by mixologists for its robust style and enjoys a renaissance as cocktails regain popularity. Prohibition destroyed the rye whiskey industry. After Prohibition, Americans adjusted their palates towards the softer Canadian whiskies and sweeter bourbons.

Rye whiskey was relegated to the back room. However, slowly over the years, rye crept back. Micro distilleries across Pennsylvania and New York are releasing new rye whiskies regularly. Rye has increasingly been in demand since the 2016 Whisky Bible rated the Crown Royal Northern Harvest rye as their top whisky. A rye whiskey reawakening.

The Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye was a polarizing whisky. Some people loved it; some people could not understand the hype. For me, however, it opened a new taste avenue.

I find rye whiskies slightly spicier than the traditional bourbons, and the new flavour nuances have interesting possibilities with food pairings. Heaven Hill Distilleries produce the Rittenhouse rye. The Rittenhouse rye is aged for 4 years.

Also Read: Snickers & Bourbon

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Dark gold

NOSE: Spicy and rich. Notes of nutmeg, eucalyptus and vanilla. Faint hints of fresh-cut grass, lemon blossom and liquorice.

PALATE: Freshly baked lemon sugar biscuits and spices. Adding water releases more vanilla notes.

FINISH: Medium length that ends in spicy notes.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Probably not the best rye on the market, but a decent mouthful. My brother, not usually a whisky drinker, joined me for the tasting. He finished his glass, without water, even before I could finish writing down my tasting notes.

So it can’t be too bad. It might be that I rate this rye whisky highly because of my limited experience with rye whiskey. But I will look out for more rye releases so that I can do a better comparison. John liked the spiciness of Rittenhouse Rye, and I liked the sweeter notes.

I paired this Rittenhouse Rye with some Cadbury Milk chocolates. I have also done a side by side comparison between the Rittenhouse Rye and the Sazerac Rye whiskey to see how much they differ. You can read all about it HERE.

I have also tasted a Scottish Rye whisky, the Arbiki Highland Rye release. A different spice profile, but interesting.

Also Read: Pikesville Rye Whiskey

Bourbon and Coffee

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/07/2016

In Cocktails

Coffee – the magic beans that get me going in the morning. I love coffee. What smells nicer than opening a bag of freshly ground coffee beans and inhaling deeply? No wonder it is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Coffee has been the magic bean getting people going for a long, long time. There is evidence of coffee drinking around the middle of the 15^th century in Yemen.

Small artisanal coffee roasters have sprung up everywhere, offering their special blend of the roasted magic bean. According to some research, there are more than 150 independent coffee roasters in South Africa. That is a lot of magic.

Just give me a nice hot double caffè macchiato in the morning. Serve it in my beautiful red Le Creuset Espresso cup with one of my Dutch silver spoons and my day starts perfectly.

My coffee machine has been in for maintenance for the last week, and getting up in the morning without my double shot of espresso has been difficult. But it is coming back today! Let’s make a Bourbon and Coffee to celebrate.

Also Read: Cuba Libre Cocktail

Hot coffee in winter is great. It warms me up while I relax and watch reruns of The Big Bang Theory on the Series Channel. But in summer, hot coffee is not ideal. How to get all the comfort without the heat?

I decided to play around with coffee and bourbon to see if I can find the perfect cold coffee with a kick. And after a bit of testing and re-testing, this was my favourite recipe – bourbon coffee.

Also Read: Mint Julep Recipe

Using a traditional Kentucky coffee idea where you add bourbon and cream to a hot coffee, I kept the coffee cold. It is summer in the Southern hemisphere after all. I added some cacao powder to enrich the coffee and bring out the sweeter notes in the whiskey. Hot or cold, bourbon and coffee is always a winning combination.

Bourbon and Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

10 ml brown sugar
15 ml hot water
2,5 ml cacao powder
60 ml bourbon (I used the Evan Williams bourbon)
90 ml strong coffee
50 ml heavy cream

Method

For Cold Coffee (Perfect for hot summers day)

Put serving glasses in the freezer an hour before the time.
Dissolve the sugar in the hot water. Allow to cool.
Brew the coffee and allow to cool down.
Add all the ingredients except the cream to a shaker with some ice and give it a good shake.
Pour into the iced glass and top with heavy cream.
Sprinkle the cacao powder over and enjoy.

For Hot Coffee (If you need something warmer to heat you up)

Brew the coffee and dissolve the sugar directly in the coffee.
Add the bourbon and stir.
Top with the cream and sprinkle with the cacao powder.

Also Read: Slate blended bourbon

Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/06/2016

In Bourbon whiskey

In today’s whiskey exploration, I’m delving into the fascinating realm of Evan Williams Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey. Over the past few years, I’ve embarked on a journey through various whisky and bourbons.

My pilgrimage began with traditional Scottish single malts and blends before exploring world whiskies from India, Taiwan, South Africa, Europe, and Australia. Eventually, my journey led me to the sweet embrace of bourbon and Tennessee whiskies, as my palate tends to lean toward the sweeter notes.

Living in South Africa, I’ve encountered some limitations regarding the availability and affordability of bourbon, especially with the challenges brought on by currency fluctuations. However, my quest for new experiences led me to discover this budget-friendly gem, Evan Williams bourbon whiskey.

Also read: Jack Daniel’s whiskey

Upon first glance, the labelling of Evan Williams Kentuckybourbon bore a striking resemblance to that of Jim Beam Black bourbon, another budget-friendly option. It’s worth noting that Evan Williams is part of the Heaven Hill portfolio, a company with a rich history in whiskey.

Evan Williams bourbon debuted in 1957, courtesy of Heaven Hill, and it takes its name from the man credited as Kentucky’s first distiller. It’s reassuring to know that the Heaven Hill company remains independently owned, staying true to its heritage.

This particular bourbon release boasts an ageing period of around 4 to 5 years. The burning question on my mind: Can Evan Williams stand up to the likes of Jim Beam Black bourbon, or is it destined to be relegated to the bargain bin? Let’s dive into the tasting notes.

Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: Dark reddish gold

NOSE: While Evan Williams bourbon whiskey exhibits the traditional bourbon aromas of toasty oak and vanilla, there’s a subtle undercurrent of corn syrup. However, I must admit that the nose lacks the layering and complexity I often seek in a bourbon.

PALATE: On the palate, Evan Williams offers little complexity beyond the expected toasty oak, vanilla, and hints of spice. The rough edges of this bourbon are hard to ignore, and it has a light body and mouthfeel. Even with the addition of water, complexity remains somewhat elusive, revealing chilli and bitter orange peel notes, but not enough to fully elevate the experience.

FINISH: A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.

RATING: GOOD

This bottle will be part of my collection for quite a long time. Definitely not close to my favourite. It offers little depth and complexity. It has a raw alcohol note that makes it hard to drink and I will probably only use this in cocktails.

Curious to see how Evan Williams stacks up against other options from the Heaven Hill stable, I poured a glass of Heaven Hill Old Style bourbon for a side-by-side comparison.

While both hail from the same family, Evan Williams manages to outshine Heaven Hill Old Style, albeit marginally. These bourbons could easily be found in a classic spaghetti western movie scene.

If you seek a bourbon that invites you to unwind and savour its nuances, I’d suggest exploring other options. Personally, I found more satisfaction in the Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon.

Over the weekend, I compared Evan Williams and Jim Beam bourbon head-to-head to see how they measure up against each other. You can find my thoughts by following the link for the full rundown.

To round out my bourbon journey, I also pitted Evan Williams against the timeless Jack Daniel’s, providing a comprehensive perspective. You can read all about that adventure. Cheers to the continued exploration of the world of bourbon!

Also Read: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon