Select Stock Bourbon Finished in Toasted Oak Barrels Review (2021)

Heaven Hill
Select Stock
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finished in New Toasted Oak Barrels
2021 Release
123.4 Proof
Distilled 8/4/2011, Bottled 12/7/2020
Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery

What is Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon?

Are you familiar with Heaven Hill’s Select Stock whiskeys? I think that they are not particularly well known. That may be because they are limited releases that generally come out yearly, and for the most part, are sold only at the distillery. Every year they are something unique. Last year was the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Used Coffee Barrels. This year is Select Stock Bourbon Finished in Toasted Oak Barrels. I have to say, I am partial to this year’s…

According to the label: “Special Characteristics: 8-year-old Small Batch Bourbon finished for 6 months in a new oak barrel custom toasted to a unique taste profile defined by our Master Distiller, and bottled at barrel proof.”

Looking at the distilled on date and the bottling date, it looks like this bourbon was probably close to 8 years 10 months when it went into the new toasted barrel, unless it was in a holding tank in between. Either way, I like what Heaven Hill did with this one!

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste it:

🛌 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉Nose: Vanilla, toffee, dark cherry, cedar; moderate to high alcohol
👉Taste: Caramel, char, oak; some sugary sweetness towards the back
👉Finish: Oak, char, tannins and light sweetness continue into the finish, and pick up a hint of dark chocolate; long finish with a moderate burn

Summary

The nose is rich. The taste and finish are more dominated by wood flavors, with some light sweetness. If you are a fan of toasted barrel finished bourbons, this Select Stock Bourbon Finished in Toasted Oak Barrels is probably one you’ll like. It’s different than some of the others. For example, it’s a bit more wood flavor dominant in the taste and finish than something like Woodford Double Oaked. It’s actually a nice contrast to the rich nose and makes me want to reach for another sip.

Have you had this bourbon or any of the Select Stock line? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Last Year’s Select Stock Release

Want to learn about last year’s release? Check out our review of Heaven Hill Select Stock Bourbon Finished in Coffee Barrels!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!