Heaven Hill White Label Bottled In Bond 6 Year

This is one of the most sought-after budget bourbons ever. It's Heaven Hill's 6 Year Old Bottled in Bond. Though discontinued by Heaven Hill, I still spot it at several locations in Kentucky. Distributors must have substantial inventory remaining. It was also, or still is, a Kentucky-only release. It used to cost around $9-12, but now sells for $20-23 when found. It uses the standard Heaven Hill mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. The color is a brownish amber. The legs are thin and initially run quickly before slowing. The aroma is of sweet corn, vanilla, and abundant oak. The palate mirrors the aroma but with a touch of alcohol. However, as you drink it, the alcohol fades, and it becomes purely enjoyable. It coats the mouth nicely with an almost creamy feel. The finish is medium to long, with flavors that linger, especially the oak. Given its scarcity, a great alternative is Evan Williams Bottled In Bond, which I've previously reviewed and added below. It's a solid bourbon available everywhere.

100 proof - a six-year-old Bottled in Bond. Heaven Hill stopped producing it around the Summer of 2018. It was 'replaced' by a seven-year BIB that costs significantly more. Nose: Oranges, pralines, seasoned oak, cinnamon rolls, allspice. Palate: Oranges and pralines, candy corn, marshmallows, cinnamon, licorice. Finish: Oranges and pralines fade, replaced by barrel char. Primarily oranges and pralines with some cinnamon on the side. This is a decent bourbon, and it's exceptional considering the price. You used to be able to get this for about $10 a bottle in Kentucky until it was discontinued. This isn't complex at all. It has some pleasant sweet candy-like notes balanced with some citrus (oranges). It also has that praline characteristic found in some other lower-end Heaven Hill products (like JW Dant Bonded). The finish is the least appealing aspect - short and tannic. Overall, this *was* one of the best bourbon values available.

Regrettably, the Heaven Hill 6-Year Bottled-in-Bond was too exceptional for this world. Goodbye, cherished whiskey unicorn! This particular release was a long-standing exclusive to Kentucky, achieving a rare combination for bourbon enthusiasts in that state: high quality, excellent value, and a stated age. It was such a good deal that many believed it was the distillery's small token of appreciation for its home state's residents. Compared to other Heaven Hill releases, this one stands apart. It blends what I perceive as Jim Beam's signature character – roasted nuts and anise – with Buffalo Trace's fruity notes – orange peel, tangerines, and mandarins. It's essentially a concentrated and intense mix of nearly every orange-hued citrus fruit. Light honey and those citrus fruits are the dominant flavors on the palate, alongside some cereal grains and corn. What's notably missing from this bourbon is vanilla. If served to me on ice, I would mistake it for an Old Fashioned.

This bottle is no longer produced as Heaven Hill decided to launch a premium 7-year line at a significantly higher price than this former $15 bottom-shelf gem. I haven't tried the new version. Nose: A very sweet, almost cedar-like wood dominates the aroma. It's one of the most distinctive noses in bourbon I've encountered in the last five years. Taste: Sweet toffee with rich, oily, light peppermint notes. A very dessert-like whisky. Finish: Medium length with little bite and slightly more sweet fruits and candy. Before this was discontinued, it was my favorite bottom-shelf whisky ever. It's unfortunate it's gone for now, but demand for Heaven Hill's bourbon stocks has been immense over the past decade. It's one of the sweetest bourbons I've ever tasted, if that appeals to you. If, by chance, you find a dusty white label Heaven Hill 6-year *bonded* bourbon and the price isn't exorbitant, buy it!

A moderate viscosity liquid with a medium amber hue. It forms legs that appear quickly and remain. The aroma is mild, presenting vanilla with a suggestion of peanut, typical of traditional bourbon, especially from its distillery. It begins with sweetness, featuring green apple, peanut, a hint of char, and a pleasant touch of mint and proof-induced spice at the edges of the palate, which intensifies through a lengthy finish. Lingering notes of cinnamon, cedar, and minty iodine are present. It's an admirable, robust, well-rounded, and intricate spirit given its cost. It offers substantial character without any harshness, and would perform exceptionally well in a spirit-forward cocktail. A forgotten treasure; we shall soon observe its seven-year successor and its price.

Nose: Initially ethanol, then a surge of cinnamon spice, cocoa powder, caramel, walnuts, and Granny Smith apples. Palate: A wave of caramel, walnuts, and rye spice, overwhelmed by alcohol. Finish: Short, tingly finish with notes of caramel and a bit of damp oak. The aroma is the most compelling part of this bourbon, although it's masked by ethanol. The palate is quite one-dimensional, with significant heat, and the finish is brief. While it's inexpensive, better options exist. I'd happily pay $5-10 more for a bottle of Buffalo Trace.