Heaven’s Door has become a juggernaut of whiskeydom, to the point where we’ve lost count of the number of expressions the outfit has cranked out to date. The good news is they are almost uniformly excellent, so we aren’t complaining about the arrival of yet another series from Heaven’s Door: The Exploration Series.
Heaven’s Door will unveil two unique expressions under The Exploration Series banner annually, each standing as a testament to the brand’s dedication to pioneering the frontier of the whiskey category. Fueled by the restless and uncompromising spirit of co-founder Bob Dylan, the team behind Heaven’s Door draws inspiration from his ethos to continually push the boundaries of innovation with new blends, secondary finishes, and intriguing staves.
Good news, because “Intriguing Staves” is my middle name! The inaugural release of The Exploration Series starts with Tennessee Whiskey that is finished in Calvados apple brandy casks with the addition of medium-heavy toasted French oak staves. Total age is 5 years old.
I spilled a little of this whiskey when unboxing the sample and the impact of the apple brandy was instant, filling the air with fresh orchard fruit notes. The aromas move from apples to peaches, drizzled with caramel sauce. Ample barrel char and a layer of baking spice provide a more traditional base, solid companions to the more fruit-forward top notes.
The palate is sharper than expected, a bit peppery and with a more persistent layer of char up top. The fruit so evident on the nose takes more of a back seat here, and while it’s got plenty on display, it’s actually not as nuanced as the nose suggests, remaining rather fiery on the tongue. As is often the case, water is the perfect fix here, giving the whiskey some needed balance and creaminess, and really helping the fruitier notes to shine. Bold notes of vanilla, chocolate, and some licorice come into focus quickly, offering a note of toasted marshmallow as the conclusion plays out.
While there may be a bit less Calvados influence here than desired, it’s still a delightful experience that one can get a bit lost in.
108 proof.
A- / $80 / heavensdoor.com [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Heaven’s Door The Exploration Series I Calvados Finish
$80
