Wild Turkey 8 year 101 question

[silverfish]

In this thread, someone states that WT 8yr is duty free/export only.

While checking on-line sellers, I see some have the 8 yr listed on-line
and was wondering if, as in the above mentioned thread, the websites
haven't been updated or if they may have the 8 year available?

Some examples (all are listed as being 8 yr, 101 proof):

Melandrose shows 8 year but no 101 on the brown stripe
Shoprite shows both 8 year and has 101 on the stripe
Bevmax shows no 8 year but has 101 on the stripe

Anyone able to clarify this for me? Is there a domestic
8 year that isn't 101 proof? Or is it probably confusion
with the 101 proof with no 8 year AS?

[Josh]

I would probably say the latter, unless those places are selling dusties or duty-free/import stuff, which I find improbable.

[matthew0715]

I believe once upon a time, all WT 101 was 8 years old, but quite a while ago, it became NAS in the US. Just like EW Black used to be 7 years old. Just like EW 1783 used to be 10 years old.

If you look at many online retailers' listing for Old Crow, they show a picture of Old Crow Straight Rye Whiskey 100 proof Bottled in Bond, which hasn't been made in decades! What they are selling is actually Old Crow straight bourbon 80 proof 3 years old, they just don't care what icon/photo they slap next to it.

Many online retailers fail to update their product descriptions or even double check any information. That ShopRite link is (allegedly) for the store in Chester, NJ, at which I purchased PVW15 last month and OWA 7/107 last week, but you won't find Van Winkle or Weller listed on the website, not even for special order.

-Matt

[sailor22]

When I see 8yr listed on internet sites I call and have the sales person actually go to the shelf and look at the bottle. In EVERY case the WT they were shipping was NOT 8yr. A couple even show split label 12 year and list it as 12 year. One even insisted that if they didn't have it they could order it - so I let them try (for months) until they finally had to admit it wasn't available any longer.

Combination of old photo on the web site and sales & IT people who were clueless or brain dead create a lot of confusion.

Same problem exists with every Bourbon that has moved from age dated to non age dated and is sold on the web. Call and double check or you will likely be disappointed.

[silverfish]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I figgered it fell under
the heading of "If it seems too good to be true..." but
thought I'd ask anyway.

[ErichPryde]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I figgered it fell under
the heading of "If it seems too good to be true..." but
thought I'd ask anyway.

Those pictures are definitely exports. The last of the 8 year 101 still had the "old turkey" icon, the one that looked somewhat cartoonish and had the head turned towards the viewer. The current bottlings of 8 year use the newer, more realistic looking turkey that is completely side profile.

The one without the 101 in the stripe is probably a current Japanese export. I have a bottle of 8 year japanese export, and it looks exactly like that one. the other bottle, that has the 101 in the stripe, is probably the previous label from the early/mid 2000's. Or, if not that it could be that the Japanese export is different than, say, the Mexican export.




However, as others have mentioned what you'll get when you order is probably NAS 101... and if it is, the Japanese export would be illegal for any retailer to sell stateside, as it does not bear a government warning. At least, not in english.

[SMOWK]

I've got a 1.75L that says Old No. 8 Brand on it. No age statement though.

[ggilbertva]

I've got a 1.75L that says Old No. 8 Brand on it. No age statement though.

If it's ON8 bottled early to mid 90's that's still 8 yrs old and very good stuff.

[T Comp]

However, as others have mentioned what you'll get when you order is probably NAS 101... and if it is, the Japanese export would be illegal for any retailer to sell stateside, as it does not bear a government warning. At least, not in english.

Well around here some of the small retail stores are evidently not afraid to bend the rules a little. One shop had the Japanese 8 year export in liters and at $14.99 to boot. Unfortunately, had is the operative word. I did snag two and left what I thought was enough (and also a 12 year) for a rainy day, but it's all gone now.

I know another store here that had Stone Castle Single Barrel, an export which was put out by Cecil Withrow, before he died unexpectedly. As best I learned from reading through the archives, Cecil had purchased the shuttered Old Taylor Distillery with the dream of eventually distilling there but must have sourced some barrels and bottled this juice there for export. The bottle I bought deceivingly has DSP 53 listed on it but then at least correctly precedes the DSP statement with "hand filled, proofed and bottled by Stonecastle Distilling, Millville, Kentucky". It's in a Michter's type bottle, Japanese written back label and no warning or UPC. It's pretty tasty juice, compliments of whoever distilled it and 106 proof.

[ErichPryde]

Yes, the 8 year export I have was located stateside. Doesn't make it legal, just means that it happens.