Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the 2020 edition of Parker’s Heritage, a 10 Year Old Heavy Char Bourbon, echoing 2019’s Heavy Char Rye release.
The celebrated Parker’s Heritage Collection is an annual released, limited edition line full of experimental mash bills, barrel finishes, and more, named for late master distiller Parker Beam, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. Last year, the distillery released its first-ever rye in the line, aged in a heavily charred barrel (Level 5), charred for 50 more seconds than the distillery’s standard barrels (Level 3). This deeper char allows the whiskey to penetrate more deeply into the wood, amplifying flavors.
The 14th release in the collection, Parker’s Heritage 10 Year Old Heavy Char Bourbon, was crafted from the distillery’s traditional 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye mash bill. Like the 2019 rye release, it was also aged in heavy char barrels, bringing out “deeper caramel and maple sweetness, as well as slight smokiness,” says the distillery. The full release comes from 102 barrels aged on the sixth floor of rick house Y for 10 years, bottled at 120 proof without chill filtration.
“The Parker’s Heritage Collection is a testament to the attention to detail crafted throughout Heaven Hill’s distilling legacy,” said Susan Wahl, Vice Present, American Whiskies at Heaven Hill in a press release. “It is an honor to continue Parker’s interest in innovation through this series and showcase the variety of Heaven Hill Distillery’s portfolio. It is in tribute to Parker and his legacy that we continue to support ALS research and patient care with this series.”
The distillery has raised over $1,000,000 for the cause with their past 7 releases alone, and hopes to continue the trend this year with further donations from the sales of this year’s expression.
A limited amount of Parker’s Heritage 10 Year Old Heavy Char Bourbon will be available nationwide this month for a suggested retail price of around $120.
