BACKGROUND: For many years, Heaven Hill Distillery produced a white-label, bottled-in-bond bourbon that was aged six years and sold only in the state of Kentucky. Because of its quality and roughly $12 per bottle price tag, it was much loved and received a cult status among bourbon aficionados. As a result, many were shocked and disappointed when Heaven Hill announced in 2018 that it was discontinuing the beloved bottled-in-bond. Bourbon enthusiasts hoarded and stockpiled bottles, and its value skyrocketed on the secondary market. Just one year, later though, Heaven Hill also announced that it was coming to market with a substitute bottled-in-bond offering. Aged seven years rather than six and widely available rather than Kentucky-only, the new Heaven Hill BIB also carried a much heftier price tag and retailed around $40 rather than $12. Despite its higher cost, curiosity seekers snapped up bottles as they appeared on shelves, and in many areas the updated Heaven Hill BIB has achieved a bit of scarce, allocated status. Made with a mash bill of 78% corn, 12% rye, and 10% barley, Whisky Advocate magazine ranked the new offering at number four on its list of “Best Whiskies of 2019.” NOSE: In a Glencairn, an acetone/ethanol scent makes it difficult to discern any competing notes. After switching to a Norlan glass, which helps mask the alcohol, some corn notes and nuttiness were present. There was absolutely no hint of vanilla or caramel, which is odd since almost all bourbon noses contain at least a trace of those characteristics. PALATE: The sweet corn and nuttiness that is present on the nose become significantly more prominent on the palate to the point that all other distinguishable flavors are excluded. It is a very sweet and pleasant bourbon, but not too terribly complex by any measure. FINISH: The finish brings a suprising heat, much like “Da Bomb” sauce on the “Hot Ones” YouTube show. It is a long finish that just keeps going. Cinnamon and mint notes that develop on the finish mimic the flavors of Big Red chewing gum. FINAL ASSESSMENT: The Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled-In-Bond is a bit of a one note wonder in flavor, but the one note is well done. Though I have never sampled the previous 6-Year offering, I can understand why it was so popular given its amazingly affordable price. At around $40, though, the 7-Year version seems just a tad bit overpriced. It is a perfectly fine bourbon, but not the first one I would grab off of my shelf even among daily sippers. I struggle to understand why Whisky Advocate magazine awarded it 92 points and rated it so highly on its 2019 “Best of…” list.