Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the 18th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection featuring a 14-year-old Kentucky straight malt whiskey finished in reconstructed heavy toast cognac barrels.
This edition is made possible due to the continued partnership with master blender Alain Royer, who Heaven Hill has partnered with on two previous Parker’s Heritage Collection releases. It is comprised of 14-year-old malt whiskey that was barreled in March 2009. The 128 Malt Whiskey barrels were dumped and then finished in 56 larger, reconstructed heavy toast cognac barrels for almost four months. The original Malt Whiskey barrels are from the fourth floor of Rickhouse O and the sixth floor of Rickhouse Q. Once re-barreled, the Cognac barrels aged in Rickhouse H1 on the fifth floor. The mashbill for this edition is comprised of 65% malted barley and 35% corn and bottled at 107 proof. At bottling, the liquid was non-chill filtered to preserve the natural flavors of the aging process.
Susan Wahl, vice president of American Whiskey at Heaven Hill, commented: “We are excited to continue to work with Alain Royer as we look for more ways to innovate with barrel finished products. In honoring Parker's enduring legacy, Heaven Hill Distillery remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold the high standards he set. With this latest expression, we celebrate Parker’s influence on and dedication to innovating outside of Heaven Hill’s traditional Bourbon mashbills by crafting a Whiskey that embodies his spirit as we continue to support ALS research and patient care.”
The late Heaven Hill master distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. Since 2013, proceeds from sales of the Parker’s Heritage Collection have raised over $1 million toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. With this edition, Heaven Hill will again contribute a portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold to the ALS Association.
The 18th Edition is an allocated product and will be available nationally and internationally in limited quantities at the suggested retail price of $169.99. Like previous editions, a portion of the proceeds will continue to support ALS research and patient care in honour of Parker Beam, late master distiller Emeritus. To learn more about The Parker Beam Promise of Hope Fund, please visit the ALS association website.