Fighting Cock Whiskey Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025) 75cl
A Taste of Tradition
When it comes to bourbon whiskey, there’s something undeniably captivating about the history, the tradition, and the distinct flavor that this American spirit brings to the table. One such bourbon that stands out in the crowd is the Fighting Cock Bourbon Whiskey. With a name that exudes strength and character, this bourbon lives up to its reputation.
A Heritage of Boldness
Fighting Cock Bourbon Whiskey has a heritage that dates back to the early days of American whiskey-making. It’s produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, one of the oldest family-owned distilleries in Kentucky. This distillery has been crafting exceptional spirits since 1935, and Fighting Cock is no exception.
Unforgettable Flavor Profile
What makes Fighting Cock Bourbon Whiskey truly unique is its bold and unforgettable flavor profile. This high-proof bourbon, bottled at 103 proof, packs a punch that whiskey enthusiasts appreciate. Its robust, full-bodied taste is characterized by a rich blend of flavors, including hints of vanilla, caramel, and a subtle spiciness. Whether you enjoy it straight, on the rocks, or in your favorite bourbon cocktail, you’ll find that Fighting Cock stands up to the test.
Aged to Perfection
Fighting Cock Bourbon is aged for six years, allowing the whiskey to develop its complex character and depth of flavor. This extended aging process in new charred oak barrels imparts a distinct smokiness and a warm, deep color to the spirit.
A Versatile Bourbon
One of the great things about Fighting Cock Bourbon Whiskey is its versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or new to the world of bourbon, this spirit has something to offer. Its strong, memorable taste is perfect for sipping and savoring, while it also adds a bold flavor to classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan.
Honoring Tradition
Fighting Cock Bourbon Whiskey pays tribute to the age-old traditions of bourbon-making. It’s a celebration of the craftsmanship and dedication that goes into producing high-quality American whiskey. Each bottle is a testament to the legacy of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.
TASTING NOTES
The nose begins with lots of spices and fruit. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg fill the aroma and add a little bit of warmth. Pastries, vanilla and oak wood come in and add a hint of sweetness to the overall flavour.
The palate is rich and full of sweetness. It is full of caramel, treacle, fudge and more oak to add some depth. There is a hint of turpentine, with more dessert flavours appearing. Birthday cake and dried fruits add a slightly chewy mouth feel. Malted grains give it a nice edge for the sweetness to bounce off, developing into oak and char.
The finish has more cinnamon and spice,alongside a handful of raisins and caramel.
About Heaven Hill
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. is a private family-owned and -operated American distillery, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Bardstown, Kentucky. It produces and markets Heaven Hill Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and ten other brands of bourbon, along with a variety of other distilled spirits, brandies, and cordials. Its current distillery facility, called the Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery, is in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the seventh-largest alcohol supplier in the United States, the second-largest holder of bourbon whiskey inventory in the world, and the largest independent family-owned and -operated producer and marketer of distilled spirits in the United States. It is also the only remaining large family-owned distillery company headquartered in Kentucky, with Brown-Forman Corporation publicly traded and family-owned Sazerac Company headquartered in Louisiana.
Heaven Hill was founded by several investors shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935, including a prominent distiller, Joseph L. Beam, and a member of the Shapira family. As the company developed, the five brothers of the Shapira family bought out the other investors. Joe Beam remained as Master Distiller, along with his youngest son, Harry. Descendants of the Shapira brothers own and operate the company today. All of the Master Distillers at Heaven Hill since its founding have been members of the Beam family.
The original Master Distiller was Joseph L. Beam, Jim Beam's first cousin. He was followed by his son, Harry, who was followed by Earl Beam, the son of Jim Beam's brother, Park. Earl Beam was succeeded by the current Master Distillers, Parker Beam and his son, Craig Beam. The original name was "Old Heavenhill Springs" distillery. The company was founded as a bourbon distillery, with a model focused on providing bulk whiskey for third parties on a basis of futures (a buyer would purchase fresh whiskey, to be held in Heaven Hill's warehouses until the buyer paid the government tax to have it released). It also focused on its flagship bourbon labels, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. In the past two decades the company has expanded its portfolio, acquiring brands or obtaining import rights for gins, malt whiskey, vodkas, and other drinks. On November 7, 1996, Heaven Hill's production plant (registered plant DSP-KY-31) was almost completely destroyed by fire. The fire started in an aging warehouse and spread to other buildings and vehicles. 90,000 barrels (approximately 7.7 million gallons) of flammable bourbon were consumed. A "river of fire" flowed from the warehouses. From one account of the fire: "Flames leapt hundreds of feet into the air and lit the sky throughout the night. Witnesses reported seeing whiskey barrels explode and rocket across the sky like shooting stars ... a two-mile long stretch of the creek that supplied process water to the distillery was set ablaze for a brief time."
The company survived the next several years through the provision of production capacity by its fellow local bourbon labels, Brown–Forman and Jim Beam, until its purchase and adaptation of the Bernheim distillery in Louisville (registered plant DSP-KY-1) from Diageo in 1999. While fermenting, mashing, and distilling occurs at the new distillery, aging, bottling, and shipping still occur in Bardstown. With the 2003 acquisition of distribution rights to Hpnotiq, Heaven Hill greatly expanded their product base beyond bourbon. Hpnotiq is now the fourth-highest-selling imported liqueur in the US. While bourbon is still its main focus, Heaven Hill now distributes a wide variety of different products. The Heaven Hill company strongly emphasizes the history and traditions of bourbon in its public relations, highlighting the company's location in the historical home of bourbon-making and its status as the only such company still under local ownership.
In 2004, the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center was opened on the old distillery grounds, providing historical exhibits and guided tours of the plant. The company also hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and several of the company's brands are named after famous local distillers. Since 2010, Heaven Hill has invested more than $100m in distillery expansions, warehouse construction, and bourbon tourism. In November 2018, Heaven Hill announced a $65m multi-year investment into expanding operations, which includes a renovation of the Bourbon Heritage Center. In September 2021, about 420 workers, all members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, went on strike due to disagreements over the terms of a new labour contract. In February 2022, Heaven Hill acquired Samson & Surrey, the owner of Widow Jane and Few. In 2023, Heaven Hill Brands settled a legal dispute with Log Still Distillery over Log Still's use of the "J.W. Dant" name. Heaven Hill had originally purchased the trademark in 1993, and had sued Log Still for trademark infringement in 2021, after the distillery claimed on its website that it was "reviving the Dant legacy".
51.5% ABV
75cl
