Parker's Heritage 8 Year Heavy Char Rye Whiskey

So I "won" the right to buy this one... I should have selected better bottles. We'll get to the review, but I'm still shocked at myself for spending $150 on an 8-year-old whiskey. Nose - A lot of typical rye notes. I do get a bubble gum note at first. I'm getting spice, charred oak (deep char), some cinnamon, some vanilla. After a bit, I'm getting a baked apple pie with some dusty wood. With each nosing, I get a different version of this, always rye-forward, always with a lot of oak, but the sweetness levels and the fruits just keep changing. A drop of water brings out vanilla cream, actually really nice, but it kills some of the spice and oak. I think I prefer it with water. Taste - I had the Parker's bourbon just the other day, and I was surprised that it reminded me so much of their rye. Today, I'm not getting those same associations, but I fully believe there is an element to the brand that seems to come through in the spirits. It's a brand that, sadly, due to price and availability, I am unlikely to get to explore in depth anytime soon. This is sweet, fruity, and then it goes into spices, then into rye flavors, and then into oak and barrel notes. There are at least 4 distinct transitions in here. This is as sweet as a bourbon. It has as much of that barrel char as a good aged bourbon. It, however, has that unique rye note and comes full force with rye spices. I don't get dill, by the way, so that's a huge win. There is a note near the end I can't place. It's almost chocolate, but it isn't, and it is almost butter, but it isn't. It's somewhere between the two, very enjoyable. Water - I'm not sure it does a lot. I think it brings out a bit more sweetness up front, and the finish is taking on a bit more chocolate versus that butter. Overall, the whole mid-game of spice and oak and sweet playing into transitions are all pretty similar. OK - this is fantastic whiskey. This is an absolute home run, so I'm angry at myself for turning my nose up at 8 years. I am not a rye guy, this is not my wheelhouse, and I would not buy again. That said, I'm giving it 4 stars. This is one of, if not the best rye I have had, outside of the 23-year Kentucky vintage. I would buy again at $100, as I don't like spending over $100 on rye whiskey, though I do it to continue to educate myself.

Neat. Sample. I had the chance to buy this when it was released, but I had just spent $200 at the previous liquor store. A few reviews suggested this was a bit overrated initially, so I felt okay with the decision. Those same reviewers revisited the bottle and were amazed at how well it opened up, calling it the best rye of the year. Whiskey regret is awful. A friend heard my story and got me a sample. Whiskey friends are the best. Okay, this smells so different than I was expecting. I'm assuming this is a barely legal rye since it's from Heaven Hill because it doesn't present itself as a rye. Very sweet, the rye is subtle. Additionally, with 8 years and heavy char, I was expecting a darker nose. Bright and sweet. Very floral. I feel bad sipping on this on a dreary, cold day like today. This would be great for a sunny spring day. Very floral. Vanilla ice cream. Drizzled in cherry sauce. May go with a crème brûlée actually, getting those charred sugars and caramel too. I'm starting to find the rye, but I don't think I would find them blind. This nose is delicious, but not spectacular. Lovely, silky texture. Flavorful immediately. Cinnamon rolls and frosting on the tongue even before the swallow. The cinnamon and vanilla frosting escalate mid-palate, and it does transition into a beautiful crème brûlée. Getting these nice apples and raspberries mid-palate too. I am starting to get eucalyptus on the finish, but that is the only place this presents itself as a rye to me, on the finish. The rye really comes through on the finish. This would be a doozy to pick apart blind. The heavy char aspects are coming through on subsequent sips. Reminds me of a baked Alaska with the flamed meringue. Lovely vanillas throughout. Yep, should have purchased that dang bottle. This is worth every cent. This is the best barely legal rye I have ever had, but I find it unfair to compare to more classic rye. Other than the finish, nothing about this is a rye.

Very interesting, to say the least. I love the aroma. If you're a dedicated Bourbon drinker, you'll appreciate the complexities of this 8-year Rye. The 105 proof is substantial and doesn't disappoint; if anything, it presents itself as a higher proof rather than excessive heat... Proof and heat are balanced. I appreciate that a portion of the proceeds from every bottle of all Parker's releases to date benefits ALS research, the disease that Parker battled and sadly lost his life to. Therefore, drinking any Parker's release is special to me, and I might add.25 just for the love of drinking any Parker's release, as I am a HUGE FAN. The #5 Char is spicier and less sweet than the traditional #3. Try not to compare it; just enjoy it. What I mean is, some might say Pikesville is less expensive or whatever other whiskey one might compare it to, but Pikesville or another is not a #5 Char Parker's Heritage Rye. This is very good for me, not an everyday drink assuming retail price and unlimited availability, yeah, I know, lol, just saying. So, for me, there are some ryes I do enjoy more, but Parker's Rye is definitely a very worthy, different, only Parker's Rye ever, so it's a special pour, especially a great pour to share with friends.

Allowing this to open up for a few minutes worked wonders, and the higher alcohol content along with the rye's kick gives it a nice punch! I generally prefer barrel proofs, so this is right up my alley. The positive aspect is that sometimes when a spirit packs heat, the flavor gets lost, which isn't the case here. I found the finish to be quite long and lingering, which truly impressed me. It might be difficult to justify the cost, as you can purchase several other excellent bottles at this price point, but I do feel this one is unique enough and still a winner in my opinion! Would I buy another bottle at this price, probably not, but I don't regret adding it to my collection. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this pour!

Another belated mess of thoughts. This was pleasant, rich, and met many criteria for a good rye (brown sugar, vanilla, rye-raisin toast, chocolate). Nose and palate came together with few surprises, and the finish was medium-long, warm, and packed with brown sugar sweetness and a hint of spice. I would drink this any day, but I don't know if I'd pay MSRP, let alone secondary market prices, to have another go at it. Definitely appreciate the chance to try it, though, and anyone who scored a bottle is unlikely to have regrets. It's overall a great rye, but not one that stands out for me.

Excellent, packed with cinnamon, cloves, chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits, and marshmallows. Aroma: Cinnamon, Cloves, Vanilla, Marshmallows, Maple Syrup, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie, Morello Cherries, Raspberries, Milk Chocolate Palate: Cloves, Vanilla, Blood Oranges, Big Red Gum, Tobacco, Nutella, Peaches, Root Beer, Raisins, Honey Finish: Mocha, Toffee, Vanilla, Toasted Marshmallows, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cloves