Old pint of Platte Valley

[hairbag]

This weekend I bought an old pint jug of Platte Valley Corn Whiskey 100 proof at an auction. It has a red wax seal and the old tax label seal. I'm not sure what the date says on the seal it's pretty small and blurry. It look like possibly 1981 or it may be 1961? I poped it open Saturday night and poured it in to a mason jar to check it out. It smells pretty much the same as a new jug of 80 proof that I bought a few months ago. What surprized me is the color. It is darker than any of my bourbons. The new Platte Valley that I have is almost clear. I took an experimental sip and it is quite drinkable. It has alot more flovor than the new 80 proof stuff. I poured a shot of the old and the new for myself and my girlfriend to compare. She agrees with me the old stuff is tastier and more smooth even though it is a higher proof.
Does anyone know how the color got so dark and is there a way to date the jug?
Thanks alot
HB

[hairbag]

Well I found out a bit more about my jug. With a bright light I was able to make out the dates on the tax seal. Made Fall 1961, Bottled Fall 1970! The bottle is dated 1970 on the bottom also. I'm not sure how I missed it Saturday.
HB

[Gillman]

That's interesting, it must have been aged in reused barrels (or I would think so anyway).

We once had a discussion whether corn whiskey could be aged in new charred barrels and if so whether in effect it could be viewed as a form of bourbon. I don't recall how we came out on that, I think Chuck Cowdery explained the position fully but I can't recall the details. If I am not mistaken, I believe it was said that corn whiskey as defined cannot be aged in a new charred barrel but I don't recall exactly now.

Gary

[Jono]

I was just thinking about an empty 4/5 Q jug that sits on a shelf in my office. It is dated 1971, my dad picked it up on a family vacation to CO (I think he got it in Nebraska)...unfortunately it was all consumed many years ago. Back then, it was 86 proof, aged 6 years. It appears the proof has decreased in increments over the years.

[Cmurfs73]

i had a store in virginia that had special ordered in a bunch of bottles of the platte and they were selling them for 9.95 a pint. After they sold through the manger tried to order some more and the store stocker told him they were mis priced, so some people got a great deal as i think the price is going to at least double. Also i dont think it was from the 70's...