Tuesday Tasting: Parker's Heritage Collection Master Distiller's Blend of Mashbills

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample the 2012 release of a great Bourbon series.

Heaven Hill Distilleries has sent me a sample of the annual release of Parker's Heritage Collection of American Whiskey Series and this one has the makings of an instant classic. The collection pays tribute to Parker Beam, a sixth generation master distiller. The Parker's Heritage Collection Master Distiller's Blend of Mashbills features 11 year old rye-based Bourbons the distillery uses for brands like Elijah Craig and Evan Williams, mixed with Old Fitzgerald wheated mashbill whiskey. The release will be from three different dumps, each with slightly different barrel proofs. The bottle I sampled was from the first batch and has a proof of 131.6.

Parker's Heritage Collection Master Distiller's Blend of Mashbills is the sixth in the annual series. It has a warm wood color and a friendly caramelized nose. Even uncut, this barrel strength whiskey is smooth. A small splash of water allows the Bourbon to open. The rye is clear and rich, but it is softened around the edges by the wheat. Nice levels of baking spice and a finish that has plenty of nut and sweet praline character.

The 750 milliliter bottle has a suggest price of $80. About 7,500 will be distributed.

TTB Rejects "Prostator Smoked Doppelbock" Label

Pints for Prostates is working with the newly launched Elevation Beer Co. of Poncha Springs, Colo., and The Rare Beer of the Month Club™, which ships unique craft beers nationwide, on a special limited release beer to raise awareness about men's health.


The plan has been to release a beer called Prostator Smoked Doppelbock at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV on Oct. 12, but the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has rejected the label for the beer. The TTB believes the name violates prohibitions about making health claims. German breweries started a tradition long ago of adding the suffix "ator" to doppelbocks. Brands such as Optimator, Salvator, Maximator, Kulminator, Triumphator and Celebrator are just a few examples. Elevation is appealing the TTB ruling, but it looks doubtful that the Prostator name will be approved.

Facing a tight deadline, The Rare Beer of the Month club has created a contest to name the beer. The person submitting the winning name will receive a six month club subscription -- two 750 milliliter bottles of truly rare beer delivered to your door each month. Pints for Prostates will also send the winner a limited edition t-shirt and poster. Click this link to enter. The deadline to submit your suggested name is Monday, Aug. 13 at noon (PST).

The 7 percent alcohol by volume Bamberg-style smoked dopplebock is not only slated to be poured at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting, it will be will be featured as part of the Rare Beer of the Month Club and served at Elevation Beer’s tasting room on Oct. 27 when they host a Pints for Prostates awareness event. Elevation is brewing the beer to create awareness and raise funds to support the mission of Pints for Prostates, which reaches men through the universal language with an important health message.