Description
Heaven’s Door Exploration Series 1 is the first bottle in the brand’s limited Exploration Series. It starts with Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon, aged five years. The whiskey then goes into freshly emptied Calvados casks.
Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, aged at least two years in French oak. After that finish, the bourbon also meets medium-heavy toasted French oak staves. That second step adds another layer of toasted wood. It is bottled at 108 proof and was not chill filtered.
The nose opens with baked apple, brown sugar and cinnamon over light oak. On the palate, the heavy toast brings apple pastry, caramel and biscuit. The texture feels full and a little oily. The finish moves from sweet caramel apple into dry oak and a touch of cinnamon.
Give it a few minutes in the glass before you sip. A few drops of water calm the heat at this strength. One large ice cube works well too. Pecan pie, aged cheddar or smoked brisket all suit it.
This is a fun pick if you like dessert flavors in your bourbon. Collectors following the series will want this first chapter on the shelf.
