Background

This week’s Jack Rose tasting series covers a number of limited releases from Heaven Hill! Going to keep the background short because we have five whiskeys to get through:

• Elijah Craig 18 Year

• Old Fitzgerald 17

• Old Fitzgerald 19

• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B522

• Parker’s Heritage Double Barreled Blend

Elijah Craig 18 Year (18 Years, 90 Proof)

Nose: Toasted oak, toasted marshmallow, Werther's originals.

Palate: Front of the palate is a nice vanilla custard note, and then a wave of sweet oak.

Finish: Damp wood, a little astringent, hints of baking spices.

Sub-par to Good (4.5/10)

Overall: It's not offensive per say, but there's just not a lot here besides the wood. It's not even overwhelmingly wood forward, it's just that wood is the primary note and outside of that it's a little dull.

Old Fitzgerald 17 (17 Years, 100 Proof)

Nose: Strawberries and cream, cheerwine, vanilla… flavors pop out, and red fruit forward.

Palate: Flambéed cherries, oak, hazelnut, bananas foster… charred fruits all around.

Finish: Creme brulee, cinnamon, black pepper.

Excellent (8/10)

Overall: Wonderful balance to this. I've actually had this at 3 different tastings now and each time I feel like I can pull something different out. The flavors are rich, the age shows but doesn't tilt the sip too far into over oaked territory.

Old Fitzgerald 19 (19 Years, 100 Proof)

Nose: Cocoa powder, polished wood, crème brulee.

Palate: More wood, black cherry, dark chocolate, graham cracker, it's also a little earthy too.

Finish: I get a TON of dark chocolate, raspberry, more polished wood.

Very Good to Great (6.5/10)

Overall: The dark chocolate notes are nice, but combined with the heavy oak it’s just a little too dry, too wood driven, and it’s hard not to fixate on that. Like with the 17 year, I have actually had this before on a few occasions, and it absolutely benefits from being left out to open up a bit. The first time I had it was right when someone opened the bottle, and it was WAY too oak forward. If anyone else is pouring this soon, I strongly recommend giving it time in the glass to open up. Also, the tasting was VERY split on this or the 17 year being the superior pour, so take my review with a grain of salt.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B522 (12 Years, 121 Proof)

Nose: Overripe cherry, maple syrup, cinnamon. Maybe the best nose of the whole tasting, Parker’s included.

Palate: Cherry pie, pepper, burnt caramel, a nice (but not overwhelming) amount of oak.

Finish: Black pepper, toasted oak, baking spices.

Great (7/10)

Overall: There’s not a lot to say about ECBP that hasn't already been said. In my, and certainly countless others’, opinion, it’s one of the best values in whiskey. Yes, there’s a fair amount of hand wringing currently about them moving to varying age statements instead of consistently 12 years… let’s see how it goes. I’ve had a good few 9-11 year single barrel picks so far, I think Heaven Hill has earned a degree of our trust.

Parker’s Heritage Double Barreled Blend (16th Edition) (13 Years, 132 Proof)

Nose: Chocolate covered cherries, polished wood.

Palate: Cinnamon sugar, brown sugar, maple, raisins. Still some cherry, black cherry.

Finish: Plums, burnt wood, brown sugar persists, a lot of black cherry.

Incredible (9/10)

Overall: Yeah this rules. It’s this dark sugar, red fruit, bombastic swirl of flavors that just kicks ass. I was a little “eh” on the last two Parker’s releases (Heavy Char Wheat and Heavy Char Bourbon). I attended this tasting with a buddy who commented that it was wild how this drank less hot than the ECBP, despite being 10+ proof points higher. The alcohol is so well integrated and, combined with the layers of rich flavors, makes this a really incredible pour.