Heaven Hill Phoenix is the rare anniversary bottle where the story is actually in the liquid. Thirty years after the November 7, 1996 fire, Heaven Hill has released Phoenix. The fire destroyed the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown. It took seven rickhouses and nearly 100,000 barrels with it.
Phoenix is a one-time 18-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon. The foundation bourbon dates to March 2008. It matured in heavy-char barrels. The blend also includes 30-year-old whiskey distilled at the original distillery before the fire. That is why the bottle carries an 18-year age statement even though older whiskey is inside.
Heaven Hill bottled it at 107 proof. That was Heaven Hill’s original 1935 barrel-entry proof. Heaven Hill describes polished oak, cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel on the nose. On the palate, it notes butterscotch, caramel, cinnamon, and baked apples. The finish is warm and long, with sweet apple pie and peppery spice.
The 750ml bottle comes in gift packaging bearing a phoenix and the words “Remember. Rebuild. Rise.” It ships to select markets now for $325. Shoppers can also find it at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown.
