WT Rye 81 proof?!

[PaulO]

Does anyone here like the RR 90 proof Rye? I tried it once because I like WT 101 Rye. My impression of the RR Rye was; nothing wrong with it, but sort of bland, definitely overpriced, not as good as WT 101 Rye. So, a slightly younger RR rye minus nine proof, and this is supposed to be good? I think I'll pass. Just to juxtepose; imagine our reactions if not 81, but a rye version of Rare Breed were anounced.

[White Dog]

Does anyone here like the RR 90 proof Rye? I tried it once because I like WT 101 Rye. My impression of the RR Rye was; nothing wrong with it, but sort of bland, definitely overpriced, not as good as WT 101 Rye. So, a slightly younger RR rye minus nine proof, and this is supposed to be good? I think I'll pass. Just to juxtepose; imagine our reactions if not 81, but a rye version of Rare Breed were anounced.

3 threads down from this one you'll see everyone's opinion on RRRye. Most agree with you.

[Neat]

imagine our reactions if not 81, but a rye version of Rare Breed were anounced.

OOOoooooooo! now THAT is an idea! with rye becoming popular again, once production is sufficient, they'll roll it out. i hope so. however, since it's a rye version of RB, i hope/assume that the constituent ryes would be older than their bourbon counterparts. which means we have to wait a LONG time i guess.

[birk]

A bartender I talked to tonight was pretty distraught over the future lack of 101. Of course, a certain segment of the cocktail/hipster crowd is really into the high proofed ryes. Without Ritt and WT101 being around, these folks are pretty much fucked, from what I can tell.

[p_elliott]

I emailed Wild Turkey a week or so a go and asked them point blank if WT rye was an additional product or a replacement to WT rye 101 this is what I got back today:

Dear Paul,

We are very happy to say that we are using our new WT 81 for our Rye and we
will no longer be producing the WT 101 Rye.


Cheers,

Jodi
Campari America
Consumer Relations

[Brisko]

Okay, how many conflicting responses are we up to?

From memory:

1. Chuck gave us the "official" word (from Campari?) that the 101 was not going away, in fact it is up 20%.
2. White Dog was told by the midwest Campari rep that the 101 is gone for good.
3. StraightBoston is told by Eddie Russell that the 101 is gone but the 81 will be better whiskey.
4. Eddie "clarifies" to Chuck that no, the 101 is only gone temporarily.
5. Jodi from Campari informs Josh that there is a 101 bourbon but the rye is 81.
6. Jodi from Campari tells Paul that they will no longer be producing the 101 rye.

Okay, so if we exclude Jodi's response to Josh which didn't have any real info in it, by my count that's 3 out of 5 pretty definitive "no's." And I'm not sure what to make of Eddie's "not till next year" line to Chuck because if that were the case they could have just said that at StraightBoston's event and cleared the air.

[Enoch]

I think the real problem is that no one hardly ever bought RR Rye ($30 for 90 proof) when they could get WT Rye ($20 for 101 proof). The manager at green's (local large store) said he can't remember when anyone bought a bottle of the RR Rye. The average person (especially in a college town) wants the most bang for the buck. And WT has a fairly new owner who may be changing their marketing strategy with emphasis on 81 proof for their standard product. 90 proof (maybe 91 later) for mid-range (ie. RR) and 101+ for top shelf. JMHO

[cigarnv]

I am going to put my money on Jodi....... no 101 rye...

[White Dog]

I emailed Wild Turkey a week or so a go and asked them point blank if WT rye was an additional product or a replacement to WT rye 101 this is what I got back today:

Dear Paul,

We are very happy to say that we are using our new WT 81 for our Rye and we
will no longer be producing the WT 101 Rye.


Cheers,

Jodi
Campari America
Consumer Relations

As long as Jodi is "very happy..."

[soad]

Maybe they are planning to discontinue the 101, but they want to give themselves enough wiggle room to bring it back if the 81's sales suck. That could explain the conflicting remarks from different arms of the company.