Today I received a review bottle and press release on the newest (and third edition of) Parker’s Heritage Collection by Heaven Hill. It’s called Golden Anniversary, celebrating Master Distiller Parker Beam’s 50 years of service to Heaven Hill Distilleries.
The bottling, which will begin shipping in September, marries bourbon from each of Parker’s five decades of work: 1960’s through to 2000’s. How cool is that? The oldest whiskey is from 1968.
It’s bottled at 100 proof, and 1,500 bottles will be produced, with a price tag of around $150.
Last year’s edition, a 27 year old bourbon, was Malt Advocate magazine’s “American Whiskey of the Year,” so the bar has been set pretty high here. I WILL be opening up this bottle before the night is over. (The temptation is just too great!) I’ll be providing a formal review in the very near future here on WDJK, so check back regularly.
Congratulations Parker!
1960-20008? That’s a long time!
Any idea what markets this will hit?
Same places as the previous releases, I would imagine, Neil. (And that’s 2000’s with an “S”. Sorry for the confusion.)
That last Parker’s was incredible. Hard to believe it spent 27 years in new oak. Could bourbon that’s sat in a barrel since been ‘68 hold up well enough to even offer something to a marriage– or am I misunderstanding: are the older bourbons vintages that were bottled in the 70’s-90’s?
Red, I can’t imagine that there’s a lot of whisky from 1968 in this marriage.
Alas, I’ve been as yet unable to find the Parker in Atlanta. Perhaps I can convince someone to order it.
Neil, can’t you order it online from one of the specialty whisky shops in the other cities.
Incidentally, I reviewed the whiskey and will post it up tomorrow (Tuesday).
Hi, John and friends, from Heaven Hill. New Parker’s will not be shipping until September so inquire at retailers late September/early October. It has a very small (symbolic, really) amount of 1968 bourbon, a bit more of ’70’s whiskey, yet a bit more of ’80’s, etc. Parker married whiskeys in a very judicious way, rest assured! Hope every one finds it a worthy successor to previous 2 releases.
Larry, thanks for chiming in–and for the extra information.
Neil, I interpreted your note that you couldn’t get any of the previous releases either. But if you are looking for this new release, Larry is confirming what I mentioned in my original post–it won’t be here until later in the fall.