After coming back from an outing, we entered the ballroom with tables set for tasting and lunch.
Moderator Bernie Lubbers introduced 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 reward, 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 rules. The spirit have to be aged at the very least 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 rules have been very restrictive and dear. 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 associates into investing $17,500 every in a distillery named Willian Heavenhill, situated on acreage in 1934.
The getting old of whiskey takes time. Thus, his associates 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 In 1939, they launched Outdated Heaven Hill Bottle-in-Bond whiskey.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. Below his watch, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and Henry McKenna manufacturers have been launched.
Tragedy Struck
On November 7, 1996, a fireplace 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 keep up its manufacturers.
No workers have been dismissed, and so they continued to point out up for work every day. The delivery constructing was saved so they might 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
Homeowners 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. Growth continues at the moment, 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, fabricated from 80% corn and aged 4 years in used Bourbon Barrels. The one remaining nationwide producer of Straight Corn Whiskey.
Rittenhouse Rye—100 Proof, fabricated 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 at the very least 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 long run for Heaven Hill is vivid because it continues to develop 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 this planet.
