After coming back from an outing, we entered the ballroom with tables set for tasting and lunch.
Moderator Bernie Lubbers offered a present from Heaven Hill, a Bartender’s Backpack manufactured by Cocktail Kingdom, was at every of our seats. Whereas we marveled on the beneficiant present, we seen instantly the tab had the “Bottled-in-Bond” engraved on the leather-based.
Bottled-in-bond designation mandates the manufacturers adhere to strict laws. The spirit should be aged not less than 4 years and be 100 proof, produced by one distillery in a single season, and aged in a bonded warehouse.
This higher-proof bourbon went out of favor within the ’70s and ’80s, and the laws have been very restrictive and expensive. Heaven Hill was proud to announce at our luncheon that it as soon as once more has gained the standing of bottled-in-bond for its high-proof spirits. Thus assuring the particular person buying the product has the reassurance of its high quality. Plus, bartenders could make savory cocktails for these wanting much less sweetness.
Historical past of Heaven Hill
Ed Shapira, a division retailer proprietor, noticed that Kentuckians have been keen on their whiskey. By probability, a possibility arose to put money into a distillery. He talked three pals into investing $17,500 every in a distillery named Willian Heavenhill, situated on acreage in 1934.
The ageing of whiskey takes time. Thus, his pals misplaced persistence and needed Shapira to purchase them out. After a dialogue with the household, the choice was made: they purchased the companions out, and it was now a family-owned operation. In 1939, they launched Outdated Heaven Hill Bottle-in-Bond whiskey.
After Ed’s retirement, his son Parker took over. Underneath his watch, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Henry McKenna manufacturers have been launched.
Tragedy Struck
On November 7, 1996, a hearth began within the distillery. The estimated loss was $30 million, 92,000 barrels of aged whiskey. It was feared the all-important pressure of yeast used since 1935 was misplaced. Nonetheless, entrance was gained to the Fifth-floor fridge holding the yeast. To the enjoyment of all, the fridge was nonetheless chilly, and Heaven Hill was assured it may proceed to take care of its manufacturers.
No staff have been dismissed, and so they continued to point out up for work every day. The delivery constructing was saved so they may ship out bottles from the unaffected constructing. Different distilleries rallied round them, and for years, Heaven Hill was produced by different distilleries.
Sale of Bernheim
House owners of the Bernheim approached the Shapira household about shopping for their close by distillery. The choice was made to buy this totally automated and streamlined distillery. Enlargement continues in the present day, with extra warehouses and extra copper fittings, which helped take away sulfurous notes from the whiskey.
Our tasting included
Mellow Corn Straight Whiskey—100 Proof, manufactured from 80% corn and aged 4 years in used Bourbon Barrels. The one remaining nationwide producer of Straight Corn Whiskey.
Rittenhouse Rye—100 Proof, manufactured from 51% Rye for a definite, spicy taste.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond—100 Proof, product of 1 season, one distillery, bottled at 100 proof and aged not less than 4 years.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond—100 proof, one distillery, one season, and aged 7 years. Gold Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competitors, 2022.
The longer term for Heaven Hill is brilliant because it continues to broaden its manufacturing services. The delineation of Bottle-in-Bond will certainly assist it stand out from different distilleries.
At the moment, it stays a family-owned model that began from humble beginnings. The model, which recovered from a tragic hearth, now’s the most important bourbon producer and has the second-largest whiskey stock on the planet.
