Parker’s Heritage Collection 2021 Release Announced
The Parker’s Heritage 2021 expression is official! Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release details on Parker’s Heritage bourbon for this year. The 15th Edition of this bourbon release features an 11-Year-Old Heavy Char Whiskey. This highly anticipated drop is featured on our bourbon release calendar for bourbon hunters. We review everything bourbon lovers need to know from price to proof.
This 2021 Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char release makes the third overall expression developed with the intense Level 5 Char. This No 5 charred barrel gets toasted for one minute and thirty seconds. Whereas, a level 3 char for example which is much more common only get the toasted barrel treatment for forty seconds.
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“This edition continues the award-winning series of heavy char releases, exploring how a more intense char allows the liquid to penetrate deeper into each barrel stave and the effects on the resulting flavor,” outlines the official press release.
“Comprised of 75 barrels charred for one minute and 30 seconds (Level 5), as opposed to the traditional 40 second char (Level 3) for Heaven Hill, the Wheat Whiskey reached peak maturation after 11 years on the sixth floor of Rickhouse Y. The heavy char allowed Heaven Hill’s traditional Wheat Whiskey mashbill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley to interact more with the oak, extracting a mix of sweetness, filled with hints of molasses and butterscotch. This release is only the second time the Wheat Whiskey mashbill has been featured in the Parker’s Heritage Collection, with the first released in 2014 as an Original Batch Cask Strength.”
Review & Tasting Notes
This edition marks the 15th national release of the Parker’s Heritage Collection. The concept behind this annual release includes a selection of special whiskey which varies by each release. This limited release bourbon honors the name of late Master Distiller Parker Beam.
Parker Beam is a legend in the distilling space, who passed away in 2017 after a diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 2010. A portion of the proceeds from each sale are donated to help funding for ALS research. It has contributed over one million dollars to that cause in the past eight year.
Previously they’ve included a Parker’s Heritage Rye, Parker’s Heritage Malt, and age statements have ranged from no age statement to 24 year old juice. To say the least, the releases are diverse whiskies, not limited to Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This Parker’s Heritage 2021 release is officially an 11-Year-Old Heavy Char Wheat Whiskey.
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This expression is a blend of 75 barrels, aged in white oak that received a Level 5 heavy char. This Wheat Whiskey reached its peak maturation after 11 years on the sixth floor of Rickhouse Y at Heaven Hill.
“The Parker’s Heritage Collection is a testament to the distilling legacy at Heaven Hill Distillery and the detailed attention each step of the process receives,” states Susan Wahl, Vice President, American Whiskies at Heaven Hill.
“We are excited to release the third mashbill in this heavy char series, showcasing the consistency of quality throughout our innovation pipeline. It is in tribute to Parker and his legacy that we continue to support ALS research and patient care with this collection.”
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Release Date & Availability
The 2021 Parker’s Heritage Collection will be available in the 750ml bottle size on an allocated basis. This can be expected to start shipping to national retailers around September 15, 2021. You can sometimes buy this new bourbon release at the Heaven Hill gift shop in Bardstown, KY.
As for allocation, we know this batch was compromised of 75 barrels total volume, which is available in 3 bottles per case.
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Proof & ABV
This Parker’s Heritage wheated bourbon is bottled at 122 proof for BIB regulations. The 122-proofing is the equivalent of 61% ABV.
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Mash Bill
The Parker’s Heritage 11 year utilizes a wheated bourbon mashbill. Therefore, the mash bill consists of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The heavy char paired with this specific mash bill allows for more interaction with the oak. This extracts a mix of sweetness, filled with hints of molasses and butterscotch. The use of winter wheat instead of rye replaces spicier notes with softer and more rounder profile.
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MSRP & Secondary Price
This Parker’s Heritage 2021 Heavy Char is available in a 750ml offering for an MSRP of $140. Being as it is a highly sought after offering with limited allocation, secondary market prices will demand many times over that that retail price.
Suggested retail pricing is officially set for $139.99. However, anyone who has looked for Parker’s Heritage for sale, you can attest that it is a major find if you can spot it in the wild. Moreover, if you’re willing to pay secondary prices, get ready to pay several times over that amount.
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