Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series Vol. V

Release & Background

• This is the fifth annual release in Heaven’s Door’s ultra-premium Bootleg Series, introduced in 2019 as a limited-edition platform showcasing rare stocks, special finishes and deluxe presentation.

• For Vol. V, the whiskey is an 18-year-old straight bourbon that undergoes a distinctive finishing step in Spanish sweet vermouth rouge casks. 

• Bottled at 114 proof (57% ABV) (some listings say 700 mL bottles) and released around late 2023. 

• Presentation is lavish: each bottle features a unique piece of artwork by Bob Dylan (who co-founded Heaven’s Door) on a hand-crafted ceramic bottle, and it is packaged in a leather-bound-style journal. 

Tasting Profile & Experience

• Aroma/Nose: Reviews note dark fruit (Concord grape), maple sugar, caramel and baking-spice aromas. 

• Palate: The Spanish vermouth finishing adds unique red-fruit/oxidized wine character layered over the mature bourbon base — expect flavors like toffee, dark chocolate, roasted walnut, vanilla, and subtle herbal or metallic notes. 

• Finish: Long and elegant, with spice (allspice, cinnamon), dry oak, black tea leaf and lingering citrus or fruit sweetness, finishing somewhat savory and dry. 

Why It Stands Out

• The combination of an 18-year maturation and a finishing in vermouth rouge casks is highly rare in bourbon; this is not just old whiskey, but one with a creative finishing touch. 

• The packaging elevates it into collectible territory — art, leather journal, limited production — making it as much about experience as drinking.

• Suitable for serious collectors, special occasions, or those who appreciate the intersection of whiskey craftsmanship and design/story.

Serving Suggestions

• Best enjoyed neat in a tulip or whiskey glass to appreciate the layers and finish.

• Add a drop of spring water if desired to open up aromas.

• Pair with rich desserts (dark chocolate, molasses cake), fine cigars, or even used as a contemplative sipping whiskey after dinner.