Parker's Heritage Heavy Char Rye is an eight-year Kentucky rye from Heaven Hill Distillery. It uses a mashbill of 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley and ages in char No. 5 barrels. The release carries 52.5% ABV and is part of the Parker’s Heritage Collection. The bottle launched in 2019 with a suggested price of $150.
While it’s satisfying to finally experience a rye released as part of the Parker’s Heritage Collection, this year’s edition is not the rye we’ve been waiting for, falling short of expectations in nearly every aspect.
A frustrating pour, to be honest. If you told me this was a heavily charred WHISKEY, not a RYE, I would have rated this in the mid-6 range, but as a rye this just doesn’t muster up. The oak, char, and tobacco are totally dominant, with just the barest hint of rye there to say hello.
