There is a certain alchemy that takes place over the years that results in truly exceptional barrels being set aside – and sometimes lost by time. It’s the beauty of the process in how centuries of tradition, combined with the science of modern distilling practices, meet the natural impacts of wood, char, and fluctuations of weather. Heaven's Door has defined their brand by first sourcing and now distilling their own quality barrels for their core releases -- saving a few truly exceptional single barrels for you to enjoy.
So, how can a barrel become “lost” by time? Distillation, identification, and selection are really just the start of a barrel’s journey to your glass. This Boardwalk Bourbon Cask Strength single barrel was carefully selected, bottled, labeled, and released. And on its journey to our site, it went missing. While you may have heard stories about defunct distilleries that have left barrels sitting, this selection took quite a different journey. Maybe it was a clerical error, shipping issue, distribution oversight, or even the impact of challenges during a worldwide pandemic – despite the scenarios involved, for a time, the packaged cases representing this barrel were gone. Well, that is until the day when the cases of our Boardwalk Bourbon selection were rediscovered in a distribution warehouse.
Our original nickname for this barrel was “Boardwalk Bourbon” as a nod to Atlantic City, Bob Dylan’s iconic shows there, and the intended destination for this barrel. Now having rediscovered these lost cases, we wanted to be sure to capture the story of our “Lost Barrel.” Heaven’s Door Cask Strength single barrels are truly something to behold – showing their ability and range when selecting this excellent bourbon and to delight fans with an elevated experience above their already great pours. This selection has been patiently waiting for years – now it’s time for you to grab a glass and enjoy this pour.
From Lee Diaz, Topflight Series Panel Member:
It isn’t often that you have an opportunity to rediscover a lost love. Having tried this years ago, it is so great to finally have this bottle in-hand. This is a wonderfully balanced pour from the moment you open your bottle until your final sip. The nose is bold and bright. In fact, if you let your glass sit for a few seconds, it is as if the aromas work their way to you. The nose is bold with cherry, vanilla, and a hint of sweetness like caramel apple. At first taste, you can expect a blend of pastry, with a touch of cinnamon, sugar, that evolves into chocolate and a cherry sauce. In the second and third taste, notes of caramel and oak reveal themselves subtly. As a 112.1 cask strength pour, the finish delivers that wonderful warmth that doesn't overpower the experience but simply leaves you waiting for the next sip. When compared to other Heaven's Door releases, the true fun will be in enjoying this with friends to compare and contrast tasting notes. And to see if you can discern nuances between pours from different barrels.
TOPFLIGHT: Series 0, Barrel No. 2
PROOF: 112.1
MASHBILL: 75% Corn; 21% Rye; 4% Malted Barley
BARREL: #3 Char, Medium Toast
