Heaven Hill White Label (80 Proof)

Heaven Hill Quality House Old Style Bourbon, also known as the Heaven Hill white label, is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey aged for 3 years, and at around $10 it is one of the most budgety of the budget bourbons. Why even bother reviewing a bourbon so inexpensive? Because I'm a man of the people, that's why, and every bourbon drinker, no matter what size wallet he or she has, deserves a quality review. As usual, I took my tipple poured neat into a Glencairn glass. At only 80 proof, the white label had much more of an alcohol blast than I expected, even after letting it breathe for a few minutes. Making it past the ethanol wasn't easy, but underneath were notes of corn, vanilla, and raisin. The nose was nothing special, but it wasn't bad for a $10 bottle. The mouthfeel is thin and dry and the palate brings corn and brief brown sugar sweetness. There is almost no finish to speak of and an aftertaste of tobacco and oak. Is this the best bourbon made by Heaven Hill? No, of course it's not. But is it the best budget bourbon you can find? Also no. But for the price point, is this a bourbon worth having on the shelf to use as a mixer? Yeah, I guess. Grab yourself some store-brand cola and get shitfaced for less than $12, if that's your style.

I bought this bourbon a while ago as I do not see it often in my area and I think I paid about $12 for it. The nose is ethanol with vanilla, baking spice, and some wood but it is not unpleasant. It reminds me of a milder version of Jim Beam white label. The body is pleasant with vanilla and very smooth oak notes. The body is longer than I expected for such a low cost bourbon. The finish is nice but short. In cocktails this bourbon is good but not great. It gets lost in an Old Fashioned and Manhattan but it is only 80 proof. In bourbon and cokes it is fine. I enjoy this over ice when I just want a easy drinking bourbon. Overall, I like this bourbon and will continue to look for it. Enjoy.

I had heard good things about the now discontinued white label 6yr bottled in bond (now replaces with a 7yr bib), so I thought I’d give it a taste. The Nose has soft banana and vanilla, a little bit of rye. I get some baking spices on nosings after the 1st sip. Palate has banana, very light leather/rye, corn and light oak. It has a nice creamy mouthfeel. The finish is on the longer side of short, but I was expecting it to be fairly short at 80 proof. Overall, this one is fantastic for the price! I picked upa 750ml bottle for $8.99, unreal for what you get. Even though it’s only 80 proof, it still has decent pleasant flavor and not harsh at all.

Bought in a WV store, VA ABC does not carry it. $8.99, give it a shot. 750ml neat in Glencairn at home. Nose is grass, corn, grains, mild ethanol. A little dusty. Taste is similar, with some caramel and oak notes coming through the middle, then a quick touch of spice on the short finish. This is nothing great, but then at $9.00 a bottle, I did not expect it to be, and it is certainly worth more than the price. I can see this as a good mixer base. 8/25/19

Glass: norlan, served neat Color: light amber Nose: cinnamon, vanilla, some alcohol, hint of honey and nuts (bit o honey candy bar?) Palate: thin, diffuse sweetness, black tea with some astringency, more honey and vanilla Finish: short, smooth, honey, some oak Simple, very easy to sip and a no brainer as a mixer, especially at $17 a handle T8ke scale: 5, good, just fine

Musty funky aroma and flavor in the beginning after that goes away it's very soft, surprisingly smooth for the price. Nothing too offensive really, but nothing much really stands out about it either in terms of flavor. I'd rank this neck and neck with JB white label, but Evan WIlliams (black or bib) are much better quality for not much more money.