Heaven Hill Select Stock: 14 Yr Corn Whiskey
(available at Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center gift shop)
48.5% ABV
$100
What the Bottle Says
Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey aged for 14 years, then re-barreled into a used wheat whiskey barrel for an additional two years.
Barrel Serial No: 9900010 / Lot ID: 00J13C
Rickhouse/Floor: I-6 / Rack/Tier: Floor
What Gary Says
Nose: Burnt cornbread, hint of smoke, oak & leather.
Palate: A bit creamy on the mouthfeel initially, roasted corn flakes that gives way to a burnt, oak note with a hint of clove as it quickly dries.
Finish: Short and drying.
Comments: When I think “corn whiskey”, my mind immediately imagines Mellow Corn Bottled-In-Bond. Honestly, I prefer that over this. On a positive note, this has helped me better appreciate the term “flavoring grain” when describing the wheat or rye in a bourbon mashbill. I once thought “Wow – isn’t that throwing some shade at corn?”, but no – it isn’t. I bought this bottle out of curiosity. I’d never had corn whiskey with significant age – and now I know why it isn’t widely available. To me, this starts off similar to the 4 yr BIB version – corn sweetness (with a bit more smoke), but then it dries out fairly quickly. The sweetness isn’t replaced with anything – it just sorta disappears. While not hugely disappointed that I bought it – if I had a chance to try it first, I honestly wouldn’t have.
Rating: Probably Pass