Heaven Hill White Label Bottled In Bond 6 Year

This one is obsolete now but, I’ve cracked one open that I bunkered and am comparing it to other bottom shelf BiBs. It’s most similar to EW White Label. Close enough that I’ll be happy to drink EW and not be concerned this one is gone.

Best bargain whiskey I’ve tried. Should cost 2-3 times as much (and probably will).

Sadly, Heaven Hill 6-Year Bottled-in-Bond was too good for this world. Farewell, sweet whiskey unicorn! This expression was a long-time Kentucky exclusive that nailed a rare trifecta for that lucky state's bourbon lovers: high quality, great value, and a clear age statement. In fact, it was such a good value that many people claimed that it was Heaven Hill Distillery's small "thank you" to the people of its home state. Compared to other Heaven Hill expressions, this one is a little different. It combines what I think of as Jim Beam funk -- roasted peanuts and anise -- with Buffalo Trace fruitiness -- orange rinds, tangerines, and mandarins. Yes, it's almost every orange-colored fruit in the citrus family in a dense and heady mixture. Light honey and those orange citrus fruits dominate the palate by far, along with some cereal grain and corn. The most notable absence in this bourbon is vanilla. If someone served this to me over an ice cube, I'd assume it was an Old Fashioned.

Nice nose gives way to a lot of burn.

Here is one of most sought out bottom shelf bourbons of all time. It is Heaven Hill 6 Year Old Bottled in Bond. This one has been discontinued by Heaven Hill but I still see it at several places in Kentucky when I am there. Distributors must have a ton of it still in there warehouses. It also was/is a Kentucky area release only. It used to be about 9-12 bucks all day long. Now when I do see it, it runs 20-23 bucks. It is the standard Heaven Hill mashbill 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. The color is brownish amber. The legs are thin and start to run fast but then slow down. The nose is sweet corn, vanilla, and lots of oak. The palate is the same as the nose but with some alcohol. But as you sip on it the alcohol dissipates and it is just enjoyable. It coats your mouth very nice with a almost creamy sensation. The finish is medium to long and the flavors linger with the oak hanging in there. I would say since this one is getting very hard to find a great alternative is the Evan Williams Bottled In Bond which I have already reviewed but added it below. It is a solid bourbon that is available everywhere.

Medium amber in the glass. Legs start quickly but linger. Moderate viscosity. A mild nose. Vanilla with a hint of peanut. Traditional bourbon smell, especially HH products. Starts sweet. Green apple, peanut, a touch of char, nice splash of mint and proof spice on the edges of the tongue and then building through the long finish. Lingering cinnamon, cedar, and minty iodine. Impressive, bold, balanced, and nuanced for the price point. Plenty of character without ever being rough. Would stand up beautifully in a spirit-forward cocktail. A lost gem - we’ll see what its 7-year replacement is and costs soon!