The 19th edition of Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection represents one of the most ambitious releases in the series’ storied history. This whiskey was released last month, marking the beginning, at least fir me, of fall limited bourbon release season. This 11-year-old Kentucky Straight American Whiskey is not simply a single expression aged to maturity, but rather a masterful blend of three distinct whiskey styles that showcases the breadth of Heaven Hill’s vast barrel inventory and the artistry of its blending team. It is an expensive bottle at $180. But, I did get selected to Super Lawyer’s Top 50 Attorneys in Louisiana list this week (meaning I am in the top quarter of the top 1% of Louisiana lawyers based on a peer review process.) So, I decided to splurge; it has been six years since I bought a bottle of Parker’s.

The Blend

This release comprises 160 carefully selected barrels drawn from multiple rickhouses across Heaven Hill’s sites in central Kentucky. The final composition brings together three whiskey styles, each aged in different environments:

• 40% 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley) aged in Rickhouse A
• 20% 11-year-old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey (80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye) aged in Rickhouses DD, GG, and BB
• 40% 12-year-old American Whiskey (50% rye, 50% malted barley) aged in Rickhouse Y

The result is bottled non-chill filtered at cask strength—a robust 122.5 proof—preserving every nuance developed during aging. This whiskey follows a new trend in American whiskey of blending straight whiskies to get incredible results, such as Little Book from Jim Beam and all of the Found North whiskies. The Straight Corn Whiskey component is generally bottled as Mellow Corn bottle in bond which is aged in used barrels, and I know a lot of people really like it. The 50/50 rye/barley mashbill seems to be an experimental mashbill used for blending, and is 1% short or rye to make it a straight rye whiskey. The wheated bourbon is the same as Larceny and Old Fitzgerald.

Visual Presentation

In the glass, this whiskey presents as a dark gold to bronze, and on the swirl a thick film and gravity defying legs cling stubbornly to the sides of the glass. The liquid’s rich color hints at the extended aging and diverse barrel influences that shaped its character, but I would have expected it to be darker given the proportion of older wheated bourbon in there.

Nose

The aromatic profile is complex and inviting. The nose leads with a dominant brown sugar note reminiscent of brown sugar caramelizing in butter. This sweetness is supported by butterscotch, toasted marshmallow, and peanut brittle.

Beneath the sweetness, layers of baking spices emerge: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and a touch of barrel char. There are fruity notes of apple turnover, syrupy canned peaches, and dark cherries, along with hints of citrus zest. The influence of the corn whiskey component shines through with cornbread and vanilla bean aromas. Deeper still, you’ll find oak spices, graham cracker, hazelnut, and even a whisper of pipe tobacco.

The nose on this is really quite something.

Palate

The mouthfeel is remarkably velvety and silky—luxurious in texture despite the high proof. Surprisingly, for a 122.5 proof whiskey, the alcohol heat is well-integrated and less aggressive than expected, drinking smoother than its proof would suggest.

The initial impression on the palate centers around graham cracker and hazelnut, creating a flavor profile reminiscent of graham crackers with Nutella spread. This savory-nutty character is complemented by rich caramel sweetness, vanilla custard, and cherry Danish. But then the spiciness shows up in a big way.

The spice component that was subdued on the nose comes alive here, with cinnamon, nutmeg, dark caramel, and seasoned oak taking center stage. There are notes of toffee, brown sugar, circus peanuts, Brazil nuts, caramel corn, and toasted oak. A touch of chili flakes adds a gentle kick, while barrel char contributes depth.

The wheated bourbon component contributes smooth sweetness, cinnamon, and oak, while the rye-malt whiskey brings more spice and structure, and the corn whiskey adds a unique richness and concentrated sweetness. Thankfully, there is now Beam family yeast funk on this; probably due to the extended aging and non-chill filtration.

Finish

The finish is medium to long in length, lingering with a satisfying persistence. It opens with a combination of sweet and spicy notes, featuring pipe tobacco, charred oak, and toasted almond. There’s a slight drying quality from barrel char, dry oak, and cacao nibs, though this is balanced by fruit preserves, toffee, brown sugar, and maple syrup.

Baking spices continue to resonate—cinnamon, clove, allspice, peppercorns—keeping the palate engaged long after the sip. The finish also reveals dried cherries and peach pits.

Overall Impression

The 2025 Parker’s Heritage Collection is a triumph of blending artistry. Rather than being confined to a single whiskey style, Heaven Hill’s master distiller Conor O’Driscoll and his team have created something that exceeds the sum of its parts—a layered, complex whiskey that allows each component to shine while creating harmonious new dimensions. The corn whiskey contributes a richness and sweetness rarely found in traditional bourbon, the wheated bourbon provides smoothness and character, and the rye-malt whiskey adds spice, depth, and structural backbone. The corn whiskey by itself would be way too sweet; the balance added by the rye malt spiciness and the baking spices from the wheated bourbon are necessary to balance the sweetness. While I have never had Mellow Corn, I have a pretty good idea of what that flavor profile is about. Larceny and Old Fitzgerald are great wheated bourbons and their influence is definitely felt on each sip.

This whiskey manages to be both bold and delicate, complex yet approachable. It rewards patience and contemplation, revealing new layers with each sip. At 122.5 proof, it drinks remarkably smooth, though it certainly makes its strength known through intensity of flavor rather than harsh heat. Saying that, my wife got a strong Kentucky hug when she tried it. Catherine noted that this whiskey is good but it is very spicy.

For those familiar with Heaven Hill’s portfolio, this expression showcases the distillery’s remarkable range and the skill required to marry such different whiskey styles into a cohesive, memorable pour. It stands as a truly great limited release from Heaven Hill.

A Legacy of Hope

As with every Parker’s Heritage Collection release since 2013, a portion of proceeds from each bottle sold supports ALS research and patient care through the ALS Association in honor of the late Parker Beam, Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller Emeritus who passed away in 2017 after a courageous battle with the disease. To date, the series has raised more than $1.4 million for this vital cause. When you purchase a bottle, you’re not only experiencing exceptional American whiskey—you’re contributing to the fight against ALS and honoring the legacy of one of bourbon’s true legends.