A Time Capsule in a Bottle: Tasting 1983 Hill & Hill Blended Whiskey 🥃

Travel back to 1983 with us as we crack open a rare 500ml “time capsule” of Hill & Hill Blended Whiskey. This isn’t just a vintage find; it’s a window into the infamous “Bourbon Glut” era, when legendary Kentucky stocks were so plentiful they were blended into everyday value labels like this one.

In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca explore the fascinating history of National Distillers, the transition to metric bottle sizes, and the mystery of what’s actually inside this “bourbon-flavored vodka.” With 80% Grain Neutral Spirits (GNS) and 20% straight whiskey—likely sourced from Old Crow or Old Taylor—does that classic “butterscotch” National Distillers profile still shine through?

We’re putting this 80-proof relic to the test to see if it’s a “hill to die on” or just a ghost of whiskey past. Grab a glass and join us on Your Bourbon Journey!

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✴️ Hill & Hill Blended Whiskey (1983)

• Classification: American Blended Whiskey
• Company: National Distillers Products Corp.
• Distillery: Hill & Hill Distillery Co., Cincinnati, OH (The Cincinnati location served as the primary blending and bottling hub for National Distillers’ value labels).
• Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Likely 20% high-rye bourbon mash bill from the Old Grand-Dad or Old Crow distilleries in Kentucky, blended with 80% Grain Neutral Spirits).
• Age: NAS (No Age Statement), but the label confirms the straight whiskey components are 4 years or older.
• Proof: 80 Proof (40% ABV)
• MSRP: $3.74 (Based on the vintage label stamp).
• Released: 1983 (Confirmed by the “83” glass code on the bottom of the bottle).
• Other: This is a 500ml bottle, which was the standard replacement for the 16oz “pint” following the 1980 metric transition. Note the “National Distillers” butterscotch profile often found in their straight whiskies may still be present in that 20% component.
• Purchased: 07/11/25 for $75 at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY

Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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