21 years. Single barrel. Gold wax. Sourced and bottled by Julian Van Winkle III grandson of Pappy Van Winkle for the Black Maple Hill label. One of the most sought-after American whiskey collector expressions from the early 2000s golden era of sourced bourbon.

Black Maple Hill is a sourced label that achieved legendary collector status through Julian Van Winkle III’s personal barrel selection. Rather than distilling its own whiskey, the Black Maple Hill program enlisted one of bourbon’s most respected palates to access and bottle Kentucky’s finest aging stocks including barrels from Bardstown operations with access to exceptional vintage inventory. The combination of Van Winkle’s selection expertise and extraordinary aged stocks produced releases that have become benchmark expressions of early 2000s American whiskey collecting.

The 21 Year Single Barrel represents the middle tier of the Black Maple Hill age statement lineup older than the 16 Year small batch and 18 Year Cask R70, younger than the 23 Year. At 21 years, the Kentucky distillate has achieved full oak integration while retaining the grain character that very old bourbon can sometimes lose. The gold wax seal is a premium presentation marker within the Black Maple Hill lineup.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber with the deep color of 21 years in white oak.
• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and oak the 21-year maturation producing greater depth and concentration than younger expressions.
• Palate: Harmonious blend of caramel, vanilla, and oak with subtle hints of spice each sip a journey through the Black Maple Hill heritage.
• Finish: Long and smooth the 21-year Kentucky straight bourbon finish at full expression.

Specs

• Label: Black Maple Hill / CVI Brands, Bardstown, KY
• Selected by: Julian Van Winkle III
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel
• Age: 21 years
• Presentation: Gold wax
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 21 Year compare to other Black Maple Hill age statements? Black Maple Hill released expressions at 16 years (small batch), 18 years (Cask R70 single barrel), 21 years (this expression, single barrel), and 23 years (single barrel 95 proof). The 21 Year sits in the most balanced position old enough for full oak integration, still retaining the grain character that extreme age can diminish.
• What is CVI Brands? CVI Brands was the company that licensed and marketed the Black Maple Hill label, working with Julian Van Winkle III for barrel selection and with Kentucky Bourbon Distillers for bottling. The combination of this network produced the classic-era Black Maple Hill releases that collectors prize today.
• Is 21-year Kentucky straight bourbon commercially rare? Yes most American bourbon is consumed at 412 years. Commercially available single barrel expressions at 21 years require either specific ultra-long aging programs or access to legacy barrel stocks. The classic Black Maple Hill releases represent some of the oldest commercially bottled American bourbon from their era.
• Is the 21 Year Single Barrel Gold Wax still available? In extremely limited quantities. Single barrel expressions are finite by definition and the classic Black Maple Hill era is not being reproduced.

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