Heaven Hill Green Label 6 Year

If you just want the final thoughts, skip to the end. Otherwise, prepare for an extended discussion. The 200th review. I've gained considerable knowledge but I'm still far from my desired level. However, I must confess: I'm not a traditional whiskey enthusiast. The genuine whiskey aficionado, or the local bourbon hero, is that older individual in a baseball cap or dark sunglasses leaving the store with two large bottles of Evan Williams white label, or Maker's Mark when they're feeling extravagant. Whiskey is a common item in their homes, used for mixing, sipping, cooking, and perhaps even cleaning. My wife's grandfather embodied this type. After World War II, he drank Seagram's 7 & 7 highballs until he could afford something better. By the time he passed, he was a regular at Toddy's, his well-known liquor shop in Bardstown. When he was too frail to visit, he'd phone for a delivery of Maker's Mark, playfully tease Toddy, and then settle into his armchair with a highball once the Maker's arrived. I don't fit that whiskey hero mold. I'm more of an academic, a questioner. Upon relocating here 15 years ago, my curiosity about Kentucky's native spirit led me to explore brands like Elijah Craig, Four Roses single barrel, Corner Creek (thanks to a recommendation I barely recall), Eagle Rare, Basil Hayden, Baker's, and eventually, I invested in Booker's. In university, I'd sampled Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 12 and recognized distinctions, but I was unaware of the world of peated and cask-finished options. What a range of flavor and intensity exists! Then came Weller Special Reserve and my frequent, unsuccessful attempts to distinguish wheated mash bills from rye. This led to even more questions. This platform became my primary resource for what felt like peer-reviewed whiskey writing. While not perfect, it was effective. Eventually, I identified reviewers whose palates aligned with mine or whose opinions I respected. I made acquaintances and spent a considerable amount on spirits. My perceptions have been altered, and my palate has been sadly let down. My own jaded ignorance has also been highlighted. All of this brings me back to a fundamental inquiry about the true essence of whiskey. ------- Now, Heaven Hill. DSP-KY-1. The origin of the Elijah Craig 12 I initially cherished and drank neat. To date, they might be the least ostentatious yet most remarkable of Kentucky's major distilleries. Wild Turkey holds a similar 'for the people' status, with Eddie Russell often seen around the visitor center. Four Roses likely excels in innovation and masterful blending of numerous mash bills. Buffalo Trace, please calm down. Barton, I appreciate your efforts. Brown-Forman, well done, but I see through your marketing. For my 200th review, I wanted to open something special. I can't locate BTAC or Old Fitz decanters, and frankly, I don't wish to. The pursuit of allocated bourbons is tiresome, costly, and at times, humiliating. Scotch is less demanding but consistently pricier in Kentucky. So why not turn to a contribution from DSP-KY-1 to Kentucky itself? An unassuming $12 bottle found on the bottom shelf. -------- This is Heaven Hill green label, with a screw-top cap. It's six years old and bottled at ninety proof. In the glass, it presents a lovely amber hue. Its appearance is thin, with slowly forming teardrop legs. The aroma is rich with cherry cola, a honey bun, and charred wood. While not identical, smelling this evokes the sensation of a higher-proof Elijah Craig (which is actually 47% ABV compared to this one's 45%). There's also a hint of ginger and brown sugar, with faint notes of bubble gum and varnish. A generous taste reveals spearmint, bubble gum, cola, and wood, with a pleasant medium body. The finish offers a nice blend of ginger spice, brown sugar, more bubble gum, and wood char. I'd estimate the finish lasts a good minute or more. There's no oily or coating sensation, just a mild warmth in the chest. It never stings or burns. Compared to several other options, I'd say this is on par with an $18-20 bottle of WT 101 (which I believe is significantly underrated). It could also contend with and potentially outperform $20 Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond two out of three times. Honestly, on certain days, I'd prefer this over the standard Elijah Craig small batch or Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (though not every day, as that would become monotonous). A $35 bottle of Henry McKenna BiB isn't far behind and might edge it out with its slightly higher proof, but then again, it might not. E.H. Taylor small batch is a contender, but I would choose this over standard Buffalo Trace, Blanton's, Weller Special Reserve, and possibly Elmer T. Lee. The only area where Buffalo Trace clearly surpasses this is with Rock Hill Farms or Weller OWA – neither of which exceed $50 (meaning they aren't worth more than a bottle of OF 1920 or RR). How does it stack up against Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve, or OF 1920? I'd say those bottles are like this one on steroids – bigger, bolder aromas, flavors, and finishes, but also more than double the price. I wouldn't trade any of those three for this bottle. When considering ECBP, JD Barrel Proof, Booker's, and Stagg Jr (you can dislike me for including Booker's in that group), it's an entirely different category. The rewards in terms of flavor and mouthfeel are significantly greater, particularly in the finish, whereas this has a very pleasant but straightforward conclusion. Regarding the $100+ category like Bardstown Discovery, that segment is generally a mixed bag, and this typically can't compete, nor should it be expected to at $12. As for a rating, it's difficult. If you're seeking something of equal or better quality for $20-30, good luck and avoid overpaying. If you're in Kentucky, grab this; otherwise, opt for Evan Williams BiB or Elijah Craig. If your goal is to impress yourself or others, anticipate spending around $40-50. For a truly mind-blowing experience, seek out a barrel-proof option aged 6-9 years (looking at you, Booker's), but perhaps stop around the 15-year mark (and don't buy IW Harper 15 just for the fancy decanter – seriously, this green label is superior). And that's it. My 200th review, thanks to my Kentucky home and DSP-KY-1, who, along with the Russell family, still seems to truly understand. And again, for those outside KY, please don't obsess over this bottle. Spend $18 on WT 101 and then relax in your hammock, tend to your yard, enjoy a cigar, spend time with loved ones, play games, read a book, or do anything other than chase bourbon. Cheers!

Rating: 14/23 Sampling this without knowing the brand. If I'm reading the label right, this isn't officially bourbon, but it is from Kentucky. That's unusual, but similar to Michter's American Whiskey and bouryes, so I anticipate a bourbon-like character, potentially with a lot of rye. Nose: Rye is prominent initially. It's somewhat peppery with grassy botanicals and peppermint, followed by a hint of citrus, maybe grapefruit. After a bit, corn sweetness emerges along with some aged oak. Perhaps a touch of green apple. A little floral vanilla. Eventually, I detect spices - primarily black pepper. There's a subtle mineral presence throughout, but it doesn't make the nose feel too light. The overall aroma is quite restrained, leading me to hope for a balanced complexity and intensity. I'm enjoying the aroma. Palate: A bit lighter than I might have expected. The rye comes through strongly with abundant minerals, then light grapefruit, green apple, and some tannic oak. Actually, some regular apple too. On a second sip, corn sweetness appears. Later, there's a deep bitter herbaceousness that approaches anise. A little cinnamon. The balance is good, though leaning more toward the mineral side than I prefer. The complexity is also good, and I detect no off-notes. Finish: Corn, minerals, spice, grassy botanicals, a little green apple, and possibly faint anise. Further into the finish, cinnamon appears. Deep into the finish, it's corn, cinnamon, and minerals. - Conclusion - I thought this tasted somewhat like a lower proof Belle Meade Cask Strength (19/23) (i.e. regular Belle Meade), so I tried Belle Meade Cask Strength for comparison. The Belle Meade was much fuller and richer without tasting younger or lacking depth. I consider the Belle Meade the clear winner here. Russell's Reserve 10 (15-16/23) also strikes me as fuller (and I don't typically think of it as a particularly full spirit). The Russell's Reserve is smokier with less rye character, but it also has some of the minerality found here. This seems to have a more pronounced character. Wild Turkey 101 aligns with this one for me. This is drier and lighter than the Wild Turkey, but it's less intense, and both have significant rye influence. I'm undecided on which I prefer, and I could see this being rated between 13 and 15. I really think it's quite comparable for sipping with Wild Turkey 101. I prefer a bit more intensity, but this is fairly elegantly constructed, earning it a 14. This actually seems a bit more aligned with Wild Turkey 101 Rye's profile. The Wild Turkey Rye is fuller than this (and I don't consider that a very full spirit), but it's also less complex and balanced. I haven't rated the Wild Turkey Rye yet, but if I had to choose now, I'd give it a 13. Between the two, I think I'd likely prefer sipping this due to its complexity, but they are very close. I'm sticking with a 14. This has great potential, but the minerals are too strong, and it's too subdued. A more intense version of this with less minerality could rival the Belle Meade. Thanks for the sample! I'm very impressed with the quality it offers at such an affordable price. I wish there were more budget-friendly discoveries like this available (and that I could actually find this). I'd also love to try a cask strength version of this.

It's been three months since my last review. I had COVID that led to pneumonia and a short hospital stay. I'm not fully recovered but close. Losing my sense of taste and smell was the worst part, and that's where the remaining 1% of recovery is needed. You might consider this review unreliable based on that. I have a personal preference for Heaven Hill. I've toured the distillery multiple times and even participated in a barrel selection tasting. Their products are excellent. It's impressive how many different flavor profiles and labels they produce. During an ongoing discussion with some friends about this particular spirit, I decided it was a good time to rejoin. Their opinions are very accurate! My local store has a two-bottle limit on this, and I now have less than two bottles remaining. It's only $13 a bottle for a 90 proof spirit and offers everything you'd want in a bourbon. I don't find it overly complex, with brown sugar and maple leading the aroma. I enjoy it on ice, and as the ice melts, the caramel emerges, which is my favorite aspect. I detect a hint of pear in the background. Taking a sip, I'm met with a rich caramel-covered pear (is that a thing?). This is pure enjoyment. Share it with friends, but pour it from a decanter, and most will assume you paid over $50 for it. It's that good. The brand ambassador for Heaven Hill, Bernie Lubbers, says the HH label was a gift from HH to Kentucky's bourbon drinkers. It's only sold in Kentucky liquor stores. So, get one if you have the chance while passing through. Three years ago, there was a similar product from this brand. The HH bottled-in-bond white label. Due to a distillery fire ten years ago, it was discontinued because of a shortage of aged product. Two years later, the HH bottled-in-bond seven-year was released. That extra year of aging added $35 to the price, and it's not available in Kentucky. Now, they've introduced Five Brothers in the same price range at 90 proof. It's obvious what's happening. Maybe that's why the employees went on strike. It's not over yet, and it's been a great experience, but it's hard to stock up.

BACKGROUND: Heaven Hill Distillery is known for crafting good bourbons at fair prices, and this six-year expression with a 90-proof, available for only $12.99 a bottle, remains one of their best deals. Just ten proof points less than Heaven Hill's six-year bottled-in-bond line, which was recently discontinued (and then re-released at a higher price), many find the Green Label comparable to that popular older version. The Heaven Hill Green Label, according to the distillery, is sold only in Kentucky and parts of Indiana, though bottles have been known to be acquired, illegally resold, and offered in other markets. The company does not promote this specific product, invests nothing in advertising it, and doesn't even list it among the brands on its website. I was fortunate enough to obtain a bottle in Alabama, and my impressions follow. AROMA: The aroma is a blend of leather and cornbread, and while those two scents might not seem compatible at first, they combine wonderfully. It's like someone buttered a piece of cornbread and struck it with a belt. Some brown sugar is also detectable. A delightfully sweet and captivating aroma. TASTE: A sweet bourbon upon first taste, it shifts to a peppery spice as it travels to the back of your throat. Brown sugar at the front of the palate becomes mint towards the rear. FINISH: A prolonged finish with a hint of cinnamon becomes quite drying and slightly bitter, yet it is not unpleasant. FINAL ASSESSMENT: I traveled to Kentucky last summer to begin the Bourbon Trail and plan to return this year. For just $12.99 a bottle, a case of Heaven Hill Green Label will accompany me back to Alabama. It's superior in taste and more enjoyable than other bourbons I've sampled at multiple times the cost. I rate the Heaven Hill Six-Year Green Label three-and-a-half cork pops out of five.

To mix things up, a friend sent me a series of unlabeled samples. They have shapes or some code on them to prevent me from knowing what they are until after I've tasted them. Will I mistake a rye for bourbon or completely miss a finish, who knows, but I'm eager to find out, so let's continue this blind challenge with the vial that has a KY1 on it. The aroma starts with caramelized peaches atop Tahitian vanilla bean gelato, followed by baked pear with star anise and blood orange, then dark chocolate and circus peanuts before shifting to spearmint, ginger, cloves, leather and old polished mahogany with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste has a medium texture, beginning with caramelized peaches atop Tahitian vanilla bean gelato, followed by baked pear with star anise and blood orange juice, then dark chocolate covered peanut clusters before a moderate spice that fades to spearmint, ginger, cloves, leather and old polished mahogany with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is medium in length with dark chocolate covered peanut clusters, poached pears, canned peaches, orange zest, toasted marshmallow, gingerbread cookies, leather and old polished mahogany. This is a very enjoyable bourbon that incorporates all those traditional bourbon characteristics in a refined and balanced way with some intriguing spices, but the texture is thinner than I'd prefer, causing those flavors to lack the bold intensity I truly desire in a great bourbon. So, what is this enjoyable bourbon that I've been sipping? It's Heaven Hill 6 year "Old Style Bourbon." Woah!!! I'm officially stunned that a bottle of bourbon costing around $12 can be this good.

Nose: baked apple, caramel, vanilla, floral scents, grass, musty oak, mint, peach, lemon, cinnamon, peanut shell, milk chocolate, and a mild to moderate burn from the alcohol. Palate: sour apple, light caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, damp grass, peach, spearmint, cherry, lemon peel, a mild to moderate alcohol bite, with a medium-short finish of sour apple, bitter citrus, and grass flavors. This is the sixth of nine blind tastings. It has fairly standard bourbon aromas, including caramel, apple, baking spice, and some grassy floral notes. The palate starts with a strong wave of sour apple, accompanied by caramel, bitter lemon peel, peach, and a little cherry, but the sourness overshadows the other tastes. This is clearly a bourbon, and a rather young one. While the aromas and flavors show promise, they need more time to develop and likely less dilution. So, what was in the tasting glass? Heaven Hill 6 Year Old Style Bourbon. At $15 a bottle, it's a good value, but not exceptional for sipping. I'd be interested in a side-by-side comparison with other value picks like Evan Williams BiB and Wild Turkey 101. I might prefer those slightly, but it would be close. Many thanks to a generous sample provider for the sample!