The one good thing I like about these packs is the variation. These are quick and inexpensive ways to try new whiskies and new categories of whisky. This Heaven Hill Corn whiskey is exactly that kind of thing. I have to admit I wouldn’t know where to start on picking a full sized bottles of American spirits without basically gambling on a name I had heard of or a bottle that looked cool. If you want to save even more money though go into a specialist shop and see what you can try before you buy and what comes recommended. Online retailers are cheap but they can’t compete on face to face conversations and knowledge. If we don’t help support them though we will be losing this resource to the Master of Malt and Amazon empires before much longer.

The Dram

Bottled  by Boutique-y Whisky company this 9 year old corn whiskey is still available. Indeed, at the time of writing it is on offer at £30 a bottle. The whiskey has been aged for 9 years and bottled at 48.4% ABV. Heaven Hill would fall under the category of “heard of” so given my lack of knowledge in the sector that would be enough for me to consider it.

Tasting Notes

Colour – pale

Nose – Nettles with vanilla honey and caramel given a decent sweet nose.

Palate – The texture is more disappointing than the nose with a thin and watery composition. Wood sap and more weed plant herbal notes.

Finish – Sharp spirity finish with Christmas tree needles but at least it was short lived.

Final Thoughts

So I have much to learn in American spirits and perhaps I should add it to my list of objectives for the year. Clearly just picking based on a name isn’t going to work because this was horrid stuff. It may be on offer but when so many in this month’s calendar are sold out and this one isn’t you have to wonder if there was a reason for that.