Heaven Hill Bottled In Bond 7 Year

Solid BiB

Vanilla and oak. Good mouth feel. Tastes hot with this proof.

Taste: 1.5 oz neat in mini-glen cairn Nose (3.25): Vanilla and pecans with a bit of creamed corn. There is also a bit of acetone/nail polish remover note that flaws the nose a bit. It is not completely off putting but it is the achille's heel here. Palate (3.5): Palate is loads of vanilla and raw pecans giving way to pecan pie. The palate is better than the nose. Spice rushes in on the back end and it gets a little bit hot. Finish (3.25): Caramel and vanilla with a bit of cinnamon. The finish is lingering with some ethanol to dry things out. Overall: Average to above average pour here. The vanilla and pecan is really good, but the nail polish remover on the nose, and that last pop of ethanol on the finish I wish wasn't there. It flaws what would really be a ratjer enjoyable bourbon. Is it better than the old 6yr old bottle....unequivocably yes. Is it a better value.....not really. I think the price increase cancels out the extra year. The old 6 yr bottle-- cheaper but definately thinner and less dimensional. New 7 yr. BiB- more flavor, richer, but twice as much. Not a bad bottle, but no need to hunt it.

I should point out that I've tried this. In more ways than one actually. First I tried a sample of the old 6 year that dthom picked up in Kentucky. Secondly I tried the new 7 year at Whiskyfest SF but...it was something like taste #15. I think I liked it but my memories at that point are kind of fuzzy. Nose: Interesting and complex. Vanilla, dark caramelized sugars, dates and figs, malted milk balls with the emphasis on milk chocolate, some yeasty bread notes. Flavor: Sweet vanilla crème brulee up front, very buttery for a 7 year age stated product, toasted coconut as well. A little bit of that signature Heaven Hill roasted peanut. Finish: Medium length, a little spicy with a ton of baking spices HEAVY on the clove with lingering cinnamon and cardamom. A little bit of oak on the finish but not overwhelming. Overall this is a very nice whiskey. An easy sipper but not super simple with enough complexity that I wouldn't get fatigued on glass number 2. And for those of you who are thinking or saying it: Yes I realize that you used to be able to get this in Kentucky for $15. I've tasted the 6 year and it was nice. This is better. $25 better? Maybe not. You know what? I don't live anywhere near the mythical land of Kentucky where fairies float in the air farting out magical whiskey dust. So I like this as it is without comparison to the old product that you can't get anywhere anyways. But seriously Kentucky don't ever change. OK...maybe change a little by meeting demand with supply. That is all.