Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.

    Heaven Hill has been putting out some interesting bottles in its Bottled-in-Bond lineup, and while the series has had its share of mixed opinions over the years, the value proposition has become a lot more appealing as prices have settled down. Tonight, we're looking at something a little different: the Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

    Coming in at 50% ABV, with a nine-year age statement and a roughly $50 price tag, this bottle certainly caught my attention. Nine-year-old bourbon at that price is not as easy to find, and Heaven Hill is giving us more transparency than we often see when it comes to what's actually going into the bottle. I managed to find this one sitting in cases at Total Wine after an earlier batch had disappeared from the shelves, so I was pretty excited to finally get one home.

    First, let's talk about what makes this release different. Heaven Hill takes two separate bourbon mash bills, ages them independently, and blends them together after they reach nine years of age. The final product remains bottled-in-bond, so it meets the requirements for that designation, including being bottled at 100 proof, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and produced during a single distillation season under one distiller.

    The blend uses a two-to-one ratio. Two-thirds comes from Heaven Hill's traditional bourbon mash bill, consisting of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. The remaining third comes from its wheated bourbon mash bill, which contains 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.

    The big question is whether this unusual blend delivers something worth seeking out, or if the combination of two different mash bills makes things a little too complicated. Either way, there's plenty here to be curious about.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/KPAgTRcIUEc.

Age Statement: 9 years.

ABV: 50% (Bottled in Bond).

Mash bill: 2/3s 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley & 1/3 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Bardstown, Kentucky.

Appearance: Deep amber with rich, dark copper tones.


On the nose:

    The first thing I notice is a little bit of proof on the nose, which isn't too surprising considering this is a fresh crack of the bottle. Given a little time to open up, that initial edge settles down and makes room for a much more inviting profile.

    Dark cherries lead the way, accompanied by darker orchard fruits and a lovely combination of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and baking spices. There's a nice cinnamon-stick quality, along with some herbal notes and a touch of medicinal character that adds a little complexity. The rye brings a welcome bit of spice, but the wheat is just as noticeable, creating an unusual interplay between the two.

    There's also a honey-like sweetness that stands out more than I expected, along with a little candied lemon peel. It's a sweeter citrus note rather than anything tart or sharp. Underneath it all, there's a mature oak presence, with plenty of barrel character and a slightly tannic quality that reminds you this bourbon has spent nine years developing in the barrel.

    What I like most is how well the age comes across. This has a classic Kentucky bourbon foundation, but the combination of rye spice and that unmistakable wheated character keeps it from feeling completely traditional. The nose is rich, layered, and genuinely interesting without coming across as overly hot or harsh.

Taste:

    Those dark cherries carry straight over from the nose, bringing a rich, fruity sweetness that coats the palate beautifully. There's a lot of depth here, with honey-like sweetness, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak all working together. The cinnamon and herbal spice add some welcome contrast, while the rye keeps things from becoming too sweet.

    That wheat component is where things get particularly interesting. I'm getting a distinctive honey-like funk that almost makes me wonder whether this has been finished in honey-seasoned barrels. It hasn't been presented as a honey-finished bourbon, though, and I suspect what I'm picking up is the character of that wheated component interacting with the rye spice and mature oak. Whatever the explanation, it's a unique combination that keeps pulling my attention back to the glass.

    The mouthfeel is another highlight. It's rich, slightly thick, and wonderfully oily, with enough body to make this feel like a well-aged bourbon rather than something that relies on proof alone to deliver flavor. There's a little bitterness toward the back of the palate, but it doesn't become overwhelming or distract too much from the overall experience.

    As I work through another sip, the dark cherry note remains prominent, with some additional orchard-fruit sweetness and a generous helping of barrel char. The oak brings a pleasant wood-sugar quality, adding sweetness without turning the bourbon into a one-note caramel bomb. Everything feels substantial, and the blend manages to balance the familiar bourbon flavors with that distinctive wheat character.

    I also think the two-to-one blending approach works particularly well here. Sometimes a four-grain bourbon can push into territory that doesn't quite work for me, but this combination feels more deliberate. The rye and wheat each get room to show off while the corn, oak, and age hold everything together.

Finish:

    The finish leaves behind a lingering combination of peppery spice, gentle oak, and that distinctive wheated character. The dark fruit and honey-like sweetness don't disappear immediately, either, giving the finish a nice transition from the richer flavors on the palate into something a little drier and spicier.

    It's not an excessively long or overpowering finish, but it complements the rest of the experience well. The oak provides structure, the pepper keeps things lively, and the wheat leaves behind a character that makes this bottle stand apart from a more conventional bourbon.

    I also think this would be a great candidate for a cocktail. An Old Fashioned would be my first choice, particularly with a little maple sweetness or black walnut bitters to bring out some additional depth. At 100 proof, with nine years of age and a rich mouthfeel, it has plenty of character to stand up to a cocktail without losing what makes it interesting.  

Final Thoughts: 

    Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash is a really enjoyable release, and I appreciate that it's doing something a little different without asking us to spend a fortune to try it. The nine-year age statement, clear mash bill breakdown, and 100-proof bottling make this an appealing package, especially at its roughly $50 suggested retail price.

    The dark cherry profile is a standout for me, and the combination of rye spice and that unusual wheated sweetness gives this bourbon a personality of its own. It's rich, oily, mature, and approachable, with enough complexity to keep me coming back for another sip. That slightly bitter note toward the back of the palate is worth mentioning, and I don't think the unusual wheat character will appeal to everyone. If you're not a fan of wheated bourbon, this may not land quite the same way for you.

    As someone who enjoys a good wheated bourbon, though, I think Heaven Hill has put together a very interesting blend. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison with the standard Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond to see just how much that wheat component changes the experience. At $50.99, I'm happy with my purchase. I wouldn't recommend chasing this one at inflated secondary-market prices, and personally, I'd draw the line around $60. But if this becomes a regular shelf offering around its suggested retail price, it's a very solid option for anyone looking for a well-aged bourbon that offers something a little different.

Rating: B (Above average).

Cost: $50.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/KPAgTRcIUEc.

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