Parker's Heritage Collection, 'Golden Anniversary'

This bottling celebrates master distiller Parker Beam's 50 years of service by including whiskey from each of the past five decades. This is a fabulous whiskey: seamless and incredibly complex with an impeccable marriage of youth and maturity. It’s also very even-keeled throughout -- quite different than last year’s equally impressive PHC a 27 year old whose personality was more like an exhilarating old wooden rollercoaster ride (and also brandished more oak). Look for candied citrus nectarine blueberry and sultana anchored by a nougat center laced with honeyed vanilla and orange creamsicle. There’s a dusting of cocoa powder brittle mint and cinnamon too. Tobacco leaves polished leather and teasing bourbon barrel char round out the palate emerging more prominently towards a warming finish. A classic!