Heaven Hill bottles rye whiskey for Parker’s Heritage series

by Melita Kiely

Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Distillery has unveiled limited edition Parker’s Heritage Collection Heavy Char Rye Whiskey as part of its commitment to supporting ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research and patient care.

The 13th edition in the Parker’s Heritage Collection will launch in September throughout the US, priced at US$149.99 per 750ml. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold will be donated to the ALS Association. Bottled at 52.5% abv, the whiskey has been aged in level five charred barrels for eight years and for a further nine months on the seventh floor of Rickhouse Y. Heaven Hill normally matures its whiskey in level three charred barrels. Level five charred barrels differ in that they are charred for 50 seconds longer than level three. Susan Wahl, group product director at Heaven Hill Distillery, said: “As the second largest holder of ageing American whiskey, Heaven Hill Distillery has the privilege of showcasing the quality and range of our distilling craft through the Parker’s Heritage Collection. “We continue this series with thoughtful offerings that showcase the care and attention to detail for which Heaven Hill Distillery is known. “Parker was involved in the development of this bottling over eight years ago and will continue to leave his mark on many future bottlings. It is in tribute to Parker and his legacy that we continue to support ALS research and patient care with this series.” Parker’s Heritage Collection was created in memory of late Heaven Hill master distiller Parker Beam, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. The past six whiskeys in the series have raised more than US$1 million for ALS research.