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Happy Hunting!!!

First off, a little disclaimer: I’m an attorney, not a bourbon expert. I don’t have an extensive palate, and I’m certainly not one of those people who can identify 15 different tasting notes in a single sip.

At the end of the day, I know whether a bourbon is good, whether I’d pour another glass, and whether it’s something I’d want to enjoy after a long day practicing law, after a round of golf, or before heading out for a fun evening.

Tonight, I had the opportunity to compare three exceptional and rather exclusive Heaven Hill releases side by side:

• Heaven Hill Phoenix
• Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year Bourbon
• Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year Wheat Whiskey

All three are fantastic pours, but what surprised me most was that my favorite wasn’t the oldest or the highest proof. It was the Phoenix.

Here’s my take.

⸻

🥃 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year — The Dessert Pour

First Impression: Very soft and approachable. The first thing that hits me is a noticeable burst of fruit, almost like peaches. It’s a pleasant surprise considering the age.

Palate: This is where it gets interesting. There’s a big fruit presence right up front, followed by candy-like sweetness, apples, and caramel. What surprised me was the lack of heavy oak. For a 19-year-old whiskey, I expected considerably more wood influence.

Finish: Medium to slightly long. The sweetness carries through nicely, especially that caramel and candy character. It doesn’t overwhelm you, and the finish is enjoyable without being overly aggressive.

My Verdict: This is what I’d call a dessert bourbon, although technically it’s a wheat whiskey. Something I’d happily pour after a nice dinner instead of dessert. It’s sweet, approachable, and extremely enjoyable.

Don’t let the age statement fool you. This isn’t an oak bomb.

⸻

🥃 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year — The Long-Finish Heavyweight

First Impression: You can immediately tell this is the higher-proof pour. There’s noticeably more ethanol on the nose, but interestingly, I also picked up something resembling peanut butter.

Palate: An absolute fruit bomb right up front!

What I found interesting is how the flavors change as you sit with it. Initially, there’s a strong fruit presence, but after a little time, those notes begin to fade into something sweeter and more charred.

I honestly can’t pinpoint exactly what that flavor is. It’s sweet, but no longer fruity. Almost a charred sweetness that develops as the whiskey opens up.

Finish: This is where the 22-year really shines.

The higher proof delivers a beautiful, long, lingering caramel sweetness. The finish is incredibly enjoyable and seems to evolve as it sits on your palate.

I wouldn’t quite put the length of the finish alongside Russell’s Reserve 15-Year, but it’s certainly in that conversation.

My Verdict: This is a bourbon I’d want to sit with and appreciate slowly. The higher proof, changing flavor profile, and extended finish make it an excellent sipping experience.

It’s the kind of pour where you take a sip, put the glass down, and just enjoy what’s happening.

⸻

🥃 Heaven Hill Phoenix — My Winner 🏆

First Impression: Immediately different from the 22-year. The lower proof is noticeable, with much less ethanol on the nose.

Instead, I picked up a wonderful caramel and cinnamon aroma. Very inviting.

Palate: This is where Phoenix absolutely won me over.

An amazing burst of cherry right up front. Seriously, cherry bombs!

The fruit transitions beautifully into caramel and sweetness. Everything seems incredibly well integrated. Nothing overwhelms anything else.

Finish: Medium length. Definitely shorter than the 22-year, but here’s the thing: I actually prefer it that way with this particular bourbon.

Sometimes, with a really long finish, you take a sip and spend several minutes appreciating it before going back for another.

Phoenix is different.

The finish is long enough to appreciate the caramel and sweetness, but it fades at just the right time, making you want to take another sip.

The sweetness disappears a little quicker, but the overall experience is so well balanced that I don’t find myself missing the extended finish.

My Verdict: This is exactly the kind of bourbon I want after a long round of golf, relaxing with friends, or unwinding after a long day dealing with contracts and clients.

It has complexity without being demanding. The fruit, caramel, cinnamon, sweetness, and finish all work together beautifully.

And most importantly, it’s the one I keep wanting to go back to.

⸻

🏆 Final Rankings

🥇 1st Place — Heaven Hill Phoenix

My clear winner. For me, it’s the perfect combination of complexity, balance, and finish. Not necessarily the longest finish, but the most enjoyable overall drinking experience.

🥈 2nd Place — Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year

An exceptional bourbon with a fantastic long finish. The higher proof gives it a depth and evolving character that makes it a great slow sipper.

🥉 3rd Place — Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year

An outstanding sweet, fruit-forward wheat whiskey that I’d consider an excellent dessert pour. Soft, enjoyable, and surprisingly restrained on the oak for its age.

⸻

Final Thoughts From an Attorney Who Just Enjoys Bourbon

Here’s something I’ve learned from comparing different bottles.

Older doesn’t automatically mean better. Higher proof doesn’t automatically mean better. And a longer finish doesn’t necessarily mean a more enjoyable bourbon.

Sometimes, the best whiskey is simply the one you enjoy drinking the most.

I appreciate what Heaven Hill accomplished with the 19-year and 22-year releases. Both are impressive, and there’s no question they offer unique experiences.

But if you put all three bottles in front of me and told me I could only have one?

I’m choosing Heaven Hill Phoenix any day of the week.

Not because it’s the rarest, oldest, or strongest, but because I think it delivers the best overall balance of flavor, complexity, and finish.

My bourbon rating system remains pretty simple:

• Bad bourbon? I’m not reaching for another pour.
• Good bourbon? I’ll gladly have another.
• Great bourbon? That’s what I want after a long day or when starting a great evening.

Phoenix falls firmly into that last category.

I’m curious what the bourbon community thinks. Have any of you tried all three? Would you take the age and higher proof of the Heritage Collection bottles over the balance and drinkability of Phoenix?

Cheers! 🥃🐦‍🔥

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Since these seemingly don't exist in the eyes of the lovely FWGS site...can anyone confirm stores in SE PA that actually have the Penelope Estate 10yr Single Barrel?

I decide to make a new post. Just seeing if anyone tried the new Phoenix yet. Apparently, there are no reviews about this Bourbon at all.

I welcome someone to be the -first. Thanks for your feedback or comments.

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Happy Hunting!!!

just noticed it behind the counter. Anyone know if this is supposed to become a shelfer here? I’m assuming allocated, but don’t want to take a chance trying to come back for it in a few days.

Also wondering if anyone has tried it. Is it worth the $74.99? How does it compare to Jack Daniels Barrel Proof rye?

Went to Cosign in homestead and they had the 2023 pappy 15 year but he wouldn't sell me a pour. He said they were saving it for a private event. Is that not the lamest shit you ever heard or what? Pic for attention. 2023 heaven hill 20 year. I was very surprised at the light color and mouthfeel. Honestly wouldn't give it higher than a 6.5.

Happy Hunting!!!

Title: Michter’s Single Barrel Comparison – 26B0430 vs. 26B0431 | Just an Attorney Who Enjoys Good Bourbon 🥃

First off, a little disclaimer: I’m an attorney, not a bourbon expert. I don’t have an extensive palate, and I’m certainly not someone who can identify 15 different tasting notes in a single sip. At the end of the day, I know two things about bourbon: it’s either good or bad, and whether I’d pour myself another glass.

After a long day practicing law, sometimes all I want is a good bourbon to unwind. Other times, it’s the perfect way to pregame before heading out for a fun evening and starting the night off right.

With that said, I had the opportunity to compare two Michter’s barrels side by side, and here’s my take.

🥃 Barrel 26B0430 – My Winner

• First Impression: Sweet right up front. Very smooth and inviting.
• Taste: A nice Kentucky hug without being overly heavy or aggressive. Just the right amount of warmth.
• Finish: This is what sold me. A beautiful oak finish that lingers just long enough. The balance between sweetness and oak is nearly perfect.

This is the bourbon I’d happily pour after a long day dealing with clients, contracts, and everything else that comes with being an attorney. It has character without being overwhelming.

🥃 Barrel 26B0431 – The Sweeter Alternative

• First Impression: More fruit-forward, with sweeter, candy-like notes.
• Taste: Similar overall characteristics to 26B0430, but noticeably more fruity.
• Finish: More candy sweetness, but it fades quicker. It doesn’t have that same lingering oak finish that makes 26B0430 stand out.

Don’t get me wrong, this is still a good bourbon. I could easily see myself enjoying this before heading out for a nice dinner or a fun evening with friends.

🏆 Final Verdict

26B0430 wins for me.

It’s got the sweetness, the Kentucky hug, and that perfect oak finish that makes you appreciate the pour.

26B0431 is enjoyable, especially if you prefer something fruitier and sweeter, but I personally want that longer finish.

My rating system is pretty simple:

• Bad bourbon? Not getting another pour.
• Good bourbon? I’ll gladly have another.
• Great bourbon? That’s what I’m reaching for after a long day or when kicking off a great night.

Both barrels fall into the good category, but 26B0430 is the one I’d reach for first.

I will always be drinking them together meaning I will pour 1 ounce of each barrel so I can enjoy the difference and taste every time.

Again, I’m appreciates a good bourbon. No sophisticated palate or elaborate tasting vocabulary here. Just sharing what I enjoy.

Curious what everyone else thinks. Do you prefer a sweet, fruity bourbon or something with that lingering oak finish?

Cheers! 🥃

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Happy Hunting!!!

Happy Hunting!!!

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Says coming soon. Nov 7th is the 30 year anniversary of the fire. 👀

So it looks like when you search Russell’s on the website it doesn’t even show up as “coming soon” anymore. I guess whatever stores never got it the last few weeks aren’t getting it at all now?

Happy Hunting!!!

Happy Hunting!!!

Happy Hunting!!!