Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Sequence is barely two years outdated, however the annual whiskey trio produced from regionally grown corn is already getting a line extension with the latest launch of the brand new Specialty Barrel Sequence. For the inaugural releases in that collection, Heaven Hill used the identical corn varietal that featured within the newest Grain to Glass releases, Beck’s 6225, which was grown simply throughout the highway from Heaven Hill’s Bardstown campus. The mashbills and ages are the identical, as nicely. The changeup seems to all be within the barrel. Whereas the usual releases went into conventional #3 char white oak barrels, this new crop of whiskeys aged totally in Chinquapin oak, a definite species of American white oak that Heaven Hill notes is thought for its greater vanillin content material. The value can be a bit greater at $130 per bottle. Let’s test them out.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Sequence Chinquapin Oak Straight Bourbon Assessment
That is much less corn-heavy and minty on the nostril than the usual Grain to Glass providing. There are extra burly oak notes initially but in addition fairly a little bit of wooden sugar which helps to offset among the tannin. Because it opens, darkish caramel and slightly burnt sugar take over and turn into extra well-cooked butterscotch in time. Ultimately, issues bloom into one thing significantly richer than the white oak model with undertones of spearmint and baking spice.
The palate is massive and daring with darkish vanilla bean and barrel char proper out of the gate and a wholesome lacing of black pepper. The spice tempers shortly and provides solution to a candy caramel apple notice accompanied by loads of baking spice, however that apple pie high quality doesn’t fairly take maintain on the midpalate earlier than a wave of baking chocolate and cocoa returns issues to a barely drier profile. The end simmers with chocolate mints, blackberry, and turbinado sugar. 105 proof. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Sequence Chinquapin Wheated Bourbon Assessment
Like the newest standard-lineup Grain to Glass wheated bourbon expression, there’s fairly a little bit of fruit on show. The nostril is wealthy and candied, showcasing high notes of Maraschino cherry and peeled tangerine. These excessive tone fruits mood solely barely because it opens with the addition of silky, candy notes of brown butter frosting, burnt almond torte, and darkish brown sugar. It’s a fascinating, dessert-inspired aroma and a spotlight of the whiskey.
On the palate, vanilla bean and butterscotch, the basic basis of the usual expression, has clearly been amplified by the Chinquapin and the physique retains the identical noticeable creaminess. Caramel corn and a little bit of cocoa powder add nuance to the midpalate, however the barrel notes by no means fairly unwind, leaving a little bit of tannin on the end together with warming accents of purple pepper, baking spice, and black cherry. It’s a enjoyable and satisfying whiskey however not fairly as balanced as the usual expression. 105 proof. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Sequence Chinquapin Rye Assessment
The Chinquapin getting older has finished probably the most to change, for the higher, the Grain to Glass rye recipe. The aroma continues to be natural and recent with dill and lower grass notes, like the usual providing, however the accompanying cut up vanilla bean and chocolate mint notes add a welcome richness and complexity. Because it opens, issues sweeten and soften additional with a layer of uncooked honey and mint tea.
The palate continues to be considerably gentle however significantly rounder and extra expressive than the usual launch. As with the aroma, the dill and herb backyard notes are current however folded properly into different barrel-driven accents of chewy caramel, clove syrup, and chocolate-covered cherry. The midpalate sees a vivid flourish of inexperienced apple and wintergreen earlier than a gradual, warming fadeout of oolong tea and Andes mints. The clear winner of this limited-edition trio. 107 proof. A-
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Sequence Chinquapin Oak Straight Bourbon
UYSD130
Visited 48 instances, 47 go to(s) at the moment
