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DEPARTMENT HEADER september 2017 / the tasting panel / 107 Lifting Spirits: Heaven Hill Distillery If you've been around the block a time or two, you inevitably gain invalu- able knowledge. Founded in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery, a family-owned and -operated distiller, has certainly learned a lot about how to function within the industry and nurture brands equipped to succeed. For inspiration, the family and distilling team often commemorate his- toric distillers—like Evan Williams, namesake of the second-largest-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey in the U.S., who was the first person to open a commercial distillery in Kentucky on the Ohio River. Heaven Hill Distillery also pays homage to Reverend Elijah Craig—the "Father of Bourbon" and the first distiller known to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels—with its very popular Elijah Craig bourbon line. Selecting distinct barrels, Heaven Hill memorializes its past with the Parker's Heritage Collection, named after late Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam. Other expressions in its portfolio are resurrections of distilleries that no longer exist (including Pikesville Rye, the longest-standing Maryland rye label, which Heaven Hill now produces in Kentucky) or efforts to honor places and events (such as its Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey, an ode to Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square). Whatever the background, each of the spirits is expertly made by Denny Potter and Charlie Downs, Heaven Hill Distillery's Master Distiller and Artisanal Distiller, respectively. Their meticulous nature and commitment to quality enables every brand to thrive within the portfolio. "We've established these legacy brands through quality and consistency, which I now passionately protect day in and day out," says Potter. "I love all the styles of American whiskey that we produce: bourbon rye, bourbon wheat, rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, corn whiskey, etc. Outside of changing up mash bills and being selective about how certain barrels are pulled from different warehouses on different warehouse sites, the approach we take to each brand is all the same as it has been for generations. The focus, effort and attention you give to each does not differ." With 80 years under its belt, Heaven Hill Distillery has the know-how to continue lifting America's spirits in more ways than one. gain invalu- family-owned function commemorate his- second-largest-selling first person Heaven "Father of charred oak Selecting distinct Heritage Parker Beam. distilleries that no Maryland rye to honor Whiskey, an ode to made by Denny by Denny by Distiller and commitment "We've consistency, which love all the bourbon wheat, changing up pulled from Tasting Notes Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey At 94 proof, this amber- and black tea-hued beauty has an impressively demure nose. Floral tones of jasmine and sandalwood interplay with orange rind and oakiness with a touch of resin. There's a slight astringency on the palate, but it's commanding and luscious. A dollop of cream softens the smoke; a wash of toffee integrates with grapefruit peel and coffee. The high octane barely comes into play, and instead is remarkably elegant. 92 —M.M. Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey Deep copper/russet in color, this 110-proofer offers up a compact nose of nougat, brown sugar and Anjou pears. It sings on the palate: spiced dark chocolate, cream sherry, black cherries and dotted white pepper are in sync. The voices are straightfor- ward, and the rye is subdued to an art form, but definitely leaves a kiss on the finish. 95 —M.M. HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY