Last Updated on March 8, 2024 by Lydia Martin
For avid bourbon fan collectors, limited series bottles are a gem.
Good news, Heaven Hill has kicked off its limited annual release, rumored to outshine ‘Pappy Van Winkle’ bottles.
We’re talking about the first edition of Heritage Collection barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, showcasing Heaven Hill’s ultra-aging techniques.
Here’s our first-hand Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 Year bourbon review, including its tasting profile, what’s special about this bottle, and if it is worth the price.
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 Year Bourbon Overview
Heaven Hill is known for its quality traditional and wheated whiskey. But its new collection features one of the conventional American whiskey mash bills.
This limited edition collection debuted in the Spring of 2022 with a slightly higher price tag, and the brand’s master craftspeople have kept watchful eyes on these limited edition special barrels.
But luckily, we got our hands on the first release of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection.
Its 17-year-old bourbon is not heavy on the palate and is pleasantly sippable.
Quick Facts
| Distillery | Heaven Hill Distillery |
| Classification & Region | Bourbon, Kentucky, USA |
| Alcohol Proof | 118.2-proof (59.1% ABV) |
| Mash Bill | 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye |
| Age Statement | 17 years |
| Color | Deep Amber |
| Rating | 4 Stars |
| Average Price | $274.99/750ml (MSRP) |
How Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year Bourbon Tastes
Nose
The aroma starts to release a rich oak with sweetness from the chocolate, green apple, and a hint of juicy fruit gum flavor.
It has a dense, thick aroma but is manageable on the nose.
Swirling the dram brings out classic bourbon flavors of vanilla and caramel with raisins, dark cherry, wood oak spice, and strong hints of dark chocolate.
Palate
Lovely cinnamon spice, oak with darkly toasted bread, and subtle tobacco hints come with our first sip, followed by rich vanilla and caramel hints.
At 118.2-proof, we experience an array of sweet flavors with the balance of warming heat that coats the palate.
The taste is far from overly oaked bourbon with tannic notes.
It has a creamy mouthfeel, and the taste is not heavy as its aroma. But the oak notes remarkably rise on the back end of the palate.
Finish
The finish is long, not drying, and delicious. We enjoyed its warm heat of baking spice finish with sweet notes of caramel.
What’s Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year Bourbon?
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection’s first edition was released nationally last March 2022. It is a sibling series of the Parker’s Heritage Collection released every fall.
Parker’s Heritage Collection is not considered the first edition of Heritage Collection but more of an ‘experimental counterpart’ of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-year-old release.
“The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection reflects the true craftsmanship, patience and consistency…”
– Conor O’ Driscoll, Master Distiller
This collection uses the same mash bill of Elijah Craig. Still, it highlights some of Heaven Hill distillery’s oldest inventory of their quietly aging whiskey resting across its six rickhouse sites.
It contains a blend of varying aging whiskey with up to 20-year-old barrels.
The deep amber hue and pleasing aromas define the aged whiskey’s longevity and the quality of its maturation.
Why We Like It
- Heritage Collection shares a blend of whiskeys, making it more flavorsome. It has the exact breakdown blend of 28% 20-year-old barrels, 44% 19-year-old barrels, and 28% 17-year-old barrels.
- Ultra-aged. Surprisingly Heritage Collection 17-year-old whiskey has supple sweetness and doesn’t have tannic notes [2], making our drinking experience remarkable.
- It is bottled at high-proof. At almost 120-proof, this Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey delivers complex flavor yet a much smoother spirit that is more enjoyable to sip.
- It doesn’t require any mixer. The dram is a great sipper; we enjoy it neatly without water or ice for dilution.
Drawbacks
- Its bottle is expensive. Heritage Collection 17-year-old barrel-proof whiskey is priced at the suggested retail price of around $274.99 and is not budget-friendly. On the secondary market, the average price might go up ten times its actual release price.
- Heritage Collection 17-year-old barrel-proof first edition has limited releases. The limited stock supply makes it harder to find and get a bottle.
Is Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Yr Premium & Limited Edition?
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is a limited edition of 17-year-old barrel-proof bourbon whiskey.
The limited bottles series were released last spring of March 2022.
But is it a premium whiskey? Yes. Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is a premium whiskey with blends of exquisite whiskeys within its Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio, aged for many years.
We enjoyed every drop of this premium whiskey, which is what a quintessential well-aged whiskey should taste like.
Price & Value
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection has released its first edition priced at around $274.99 per 750ml.
For a well-aged whiskey aged 17 years, it is a fair price to start.
But since it is a limited edition, its bottles are hard to find, making its market value go up to around $2,000 or more, that’s more than ten times its suggested retail price.
Rating On Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 Year Bourbon
For the first series of Heritage Collection, we’ll give it a ‘4-STARS’ rating. It’s a great sipper and can stand out neatly.
It has a complex and warm aroma, yet it doesn’t overpower the overall aroma. The dram has vibrant and mouth-coating, not too smoky but velvety.
We enjoy savoring its balanced flavor profile along with its classic bourbon flavors.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, this dram is worth every penny, but it won’t be our ‘everyday bourbon’ choice.
This expensive bottle is for special celebrations like birthdays, weddings, or family gatherings.
In case you can’t find bottles of Heritage Collection or you’re looking for affordable ones, here are some bottle alternatives you can try:
- Elijah Craig Small Batch
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
- Knob Creek 12-year
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 Year bourbon worth the money?
Yes, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection’s 17-year whiskey is worth the money. Even though it is expensive, it is a quality whiskey aged over many years, bottled with high proof.
Is Heaven Hill bourbon allocated?
According to the Heaven Hill press release, Heritage Collection 17-year-old barrel-proof bourbon release is on a ‘limited basis.’ But its Parker’s Heritage Collection is allocated.
Does Jim Beam own Heaven Hill?
No, Jim Beam does not own Heaven Hill. These are separate and independent distilleries in the bourbon industry. Jim Beam is associated with Beam Suntory, a global spirits company, while Heaven Hill operates as a separate family-owned distillery based in Kentucky.
Both have their own distinct brands and contribute to the rich tapestry of American whiskey.
How long is Heaven Hill aged?
Heaven Hill ages its whiskeys for various durations depending on the specific brand and expression. While the aging process varies, many of their bourbons, including those under the Elijah Craig label, typically spend several years in charred oak barrels.
This maturation period allows the whiskey to develop complex flavors, rich aromas, and a smooth finish, contributing to the high quality and distinctive character of Heaven Hill products.
Is Elijah Craig a Heaven Hill brand?
Yes, Elijah Craig is indeed a brand under the Heaven Hill portfolio. Elijah Craig is well-regarded for its premium small-batch and single-barrel bourbons.
The brand is known for its commitment to craftsmanship and the production of high-quality bourbon, with expressions that have garnered praise among whiskey enthusiasts for their depth of flavor and complexity.
Is Heaven Hill allocated bourbon?
Some of Heaven Hill’s bourbons are indeed allocated, meaning they are produced in limited quantities and may be harder to find in the market. The allocation status is often attributed to factors such as the whiskey’s popularity, age, and the specific release.
Brands like Pappy Van Winkle and certain expressions of Elijah Craig are examples of allocated bourbons from Heaven Hill, making them sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Is Jim Beam owned by China?
As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Jim Beam is not owned by China. Jim Beam is part of Beam Suntory, a global spirits company headquartered in Japan. Suntory Holdings Limited, a Japanese company, acquired Beam Inc. in 2014, forming Beam Suntory.
While the ownership structure has Japanese roots, Jim Beam itself is not owned by China. It’s important to note that corporate ownership can change, so it’s recommended to verify the latest ownership information for the most up-to-date details.
What is the biggest whiskey company in the world?
Diageo is considered one of the largest and most influential whiskey companies globally. As a multinational beverage conglomerate, Diageo owns several renowned whiskey brands, including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, and Bushmills, contributing to its significant presence in the whiskey industry.
The company’s diverse portfolio encompasses a wide range of whiskey styles, from Scotch to Irish to American, solidifying its status as a major player in the global whiskey market.
What is special about birthday bourbon?
Birthday Bourbon, produced by the Old Forester Distillery, is an annual limited-edition release crafted to celebrate the birthday of George Garvin Brown, the founder of Brown-Forman Corporation.
What makes Birthday Bourbon special is its unique aging process and flavor profile. Each release is a single-barrel expression aged for a specific number of years, and the aging duration varies each year.
This creates a distinctive and sought-after whiskey with rich complexity, intense flavors, and the potential for unique characteristics in each batch, making it a highly anticipated and collectible release among whiskey enthusiasts.
Where did Heaven Hill come from?
Heaven Hill, founded in 1935, is a family-owned distillery based in Bardstown, Kentucky, and is renowned for being the largest independent, family-owned and operated bourbon distillery in America.
The Shapira family, led by patriarch Max Shapira, played a pivotal role in establishing and growing Heaven Hill, with a commitment to producing high-quality bourbon and other spirits.
The distillery’s rich heritage and dedication to craftsmanship have solidified its place in the history of American whiskey.
How long is Heaven’s Door bourbon aged?
Heaven’s Door, a whiskey brand co-founded by Bob Dylan, ages its bourbon for a minimum of eight years. The aging process takes place in new charred American oak barrels, allowing the whiskey to develop a well-rounded and matured flavor profile.
The choice of an extended aging period contributes to the complexity and depth of Heaven’s Door bourbon, creating a smooth and nuanced drinking experience appreciated by fans of the brand.
Who owns Heaven Hill whiskey?
Heaven Hill is owned by the Shapira family, with Max Shapira serving as the fourth-generation president of the company. The Shapira family has played a central role in Heaven Hill’s success since its founding in 1935. Under their leadership, Heaven Hill has become a prominent and respected name in the bourbon industry, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and the production of a wide range of high-quality spirits, including bourbons, ryes, and other whiskey expressions.
Final Verdict: Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 Year Bourbon Review
Many new whiskey brands are constantly coming to market, but this first edition of Heaven Hill Heritage Collection’s 17-year-old barrel-proof bourbon release is worth the try.
We appreciate its supple-tasting profile that is not ‘oaky’ for its age.
Its smooth and creamy mouthfeel and high proof make it one of the benchmarks for well-aged bourbons.
Get your hands on this first edition release bottle while you still have it around its suggested retail price.
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