William Heavenhill 16 Year Small Batch (6th Edition)

I finally got around to trying this again. This bottle has been open for at least six months. My initial impressions were quite poor, so let's see how it is with about a quarter of the bottle consumed (much of which was given away) and how this one stands now. Nose: Fruity notes, dry and almost astringently dry oak, varnish, cherry, and alcohol. Taste: Cherry, light spice, wood. That's all I'm getting. Then just ordinary bourbon. I'll add water. Okay, now I'm getting more cherry, a hint of chocolate perhaps, and the oak, which was funky when this bottle first opened and was like a wet blanket over the flavor, has subsided but now I just get too much oak and not the pleasant dusty oak finish we desire. Adding more water, can I detect citrus, almost grapefruit or maybe watered-down tangerines? It's subtle but present. Finish: Mostly wood and some vanilla. Nothing special. I had really hoped this would have improved in the bottle and become a wonderful dram, but sadly, it has changed and it's still a pretty disappointing bourbon. I'm still giving it 2 stars because there's a lot of complexity in the wood notes, and this isn't a simple daily drinker. It truly makes you take your time, which I find valuable. If it weren't nearly $250 (it's $250 if you don't find it at retail like I did), I might consider rating it closer to 3.0, which is for normally priced whisky that I'd suggest buying if you like the style and the price fits your usual budget. This is just so expensive and doesn't deliver at all. I will note that I do wonder if perhaps there were better bottles out there, as I've seen some good reviews from individuals I respect, and the group I was with who bought these at retail have also been disappointed.

Picked this up at the gift shop in Oct 2018 after enjoying it. Recently opened it for a birthday celebration and after a couple of servings, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Appearance: Deep mahogany with amber glints and viscous legs. Nose: Rich brown sugar, polished wood, worn leather, dark chocolate, orange zest, toasted vanilla, a whisper of cherry, and a smoky char. Palate: Echoes the nose with dark brown sugar, cocoa, maple syrup, vanilla, and baking spices. The spice remains on the finish as the oak becomes more prominent. The long finish is dry, yet carries just enough maple sweetness to prevent excessive tannin or bitterness. This is certainly an oak-forward bourbon, as expected for its age. I personally love it, though I can understand it might be overwhelming for some. It's not exceptionally complex, but I truly appreciate the depth and intensity of the flavors. Considering the cost, the score is slightly reduced, but it remains excellent, and I plan to enjoy the remainder on special occasions.

The color is a deep amber, though the legs are sometimes sparse. The aroma is rich with oak, floral rye, buttercream, cinnamon, molasses, and a hint of caramel. The palate begins with a creamy oak rush and a wave of cinnamon, creating a rich mouthfeel that coats the entire mouth. Smooth vanilla, caramel, and cooked brown sugar follow, with just a whisper of cherry syrup. The finish is long, with the edges of the mouth tingling from a pleasant spiciness. Sweet and creamy oak linger in every corner, inviting more. This whiskey is perfectly balanced and truly a delight.

This was part of a recent tasting I attended at Heaven Hill. The cost of attendance was far too low considering this bourbon was included. This is a thick spirit, a bit darker than amber, resembling dark maple syrup in color. The nose is oak, leather, and pure manliness. It's every bit as good as the taste. Flavor follows suit with oak, leather, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and nutty, retaining many of the same flavors. An excellent spirit all around.

This is absolutely incredible! Critics might say it's overpriced, but I completely disagree. This whiskey embraces you like a sweet grandmother who smells of vanilla cookies and leather. It has flavors of oak and vanilla, with a subtle dark fruit presence and an oily finish that lingers.

The aroma features rye, followed by a sweet, mellow flavor at the front that transitions to a rye finish. A hint of caramel mixes with the rye, and a flash of smoke appears on the finish.