Parker's Heritage 24 Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

A rare find, shared during an online tasting event (though I admit I dozed off due to an early start to the workday). Fortunately, I tried a pour before falling asleep. I was surprised by it. I suppose expectations are high for a unicorn, especially a 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond! That's exceptionally rare. However, my surprise wasn't positive; I simply expected more. The nose is the best part – quite delicate for something aged 24 years in a barrel. It has toasted marshmallow and some orange. The palate, however, was where it failed for me. It was overwhelmingly hot, to the point where I couldn't taste anything else. I was anticipating (and hoping for) more oak, but instead got intense heat and cinnamon spice. The finish lingers with that heat for a long time. In my opinion, you're better off purchasing an ECBP for much less money. This sells for $800-1000, and there are many other whiskeys I'd buy first. However, I might be the only one with this view, given the high average rating.

Incredible aroma, possibly the best bourbon aroma I've encountered so far. The mouthfeel is substantial. The age is evident in its complexity and smoothness - it possesses both. It's clear that much of the unnecessary elements have evaporated over the years. Flavors include mint, clove, oak, vanilla, cinnamon, with a mild caramel finish. The warmth on the finish registers around a 5. Consider trying it due to its distinctiveness, however, spending over $200 for a bottle seems rather foolish - numerous less expensive alternatives perform well (Belle Meade single barrel, Weller 12, EC barrel proof, Crown Royal rye). Also, to all the people price gouging on the secondary market online and selling fake Pappy bottles, you can go to hell.😘

UPDATE: Letting my opened bottle sit with a little extra air has improved it, making it an enjoyable pour. I still regret the retail price I paid per bottle, but it's still a special bottle to own. Let it breathe before you drink it. [Tasting my 1990 bottle, this has been a disappointment for my palate so far. I'm keeping an unopened 1990 and 1991 to hopefully trade later due to their rarity. Personally, 24 years is too long for bourbon. My preference is typically in the 12-15 year range, and I sometimes even prefer a 7-year-old, especially high-rye varieties.]

The nose is intense, with notes of freshly cut wood, spearmint, some allspice, and leather. It's a very intriguing aroma that sparks significant curiosity about the taste. As it airs out, it becomes a quite alluring smell. The palate is very woody, but in a pleasant way. Beneath that, there's black pepper, cinnamon, and a hint of cherry. The finish is medium, not nearly as long as one might anticipate. The oak and vanilla fade, with the pepper and spices quickly disappearing. As it airs further, the entire experience mellows. It's an interesting sipper, but it lacks depth.

Excellent harmony of wood, sweetness, spice, and aged paperbacks. Nose: Pecans, Cherries, Walnuts, Cinnamon, Vanilla Fudge, Nutella, Marzipan, Peaches, Leather, Tobacco, Brown Sugar, Old Oak, Oranges, Cloves, Marshmallow, Molasses, Maple Syrup Palate: Oranges, Root Beer, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Flat Coke, Pecan Pie, Caramel, Raisins, Maple Syrup, Walnuts, Almonds, Cherries Finish: Vanilla, Brown Butter Cake, Banana Bread, Walnuts, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Walnuts, Pecans

An annual release from the Parker's Heritage Collection is a 24-year-old bottled-in-bond bourbon. It presents an aromatic beginning with hints of caramel, earthy oak, dark chocolate, a touch of cinnamon, and a whisper of orange oil; its rich and complex development introduces notes of aged oak, worn leather, Black Forest cake, and a hint of pepper; culminating in a long and well-rounded conclusion with notes of smooth vanilla. January / May / June 2018 / July 2022