Coming this fall

[cas]

I'm glad that SC is among them, but how are these states chosen?
Also, while bourbon, by law, has to be at least 51% corn, is the grain proportion of other whiskies specified?
Craig

[TNbourbon]

To be "bourbon", "rye" or "wheat" whiskey, the minimum for the naming grain must be at least 51%, but it can (and often is) more than that. So, no, only the minimum is specified. There are many different mashbills within each variety, but all must only meet the mininum specification for the naming grain.
To be "straight" it also must also be aged in new, charred oak barrels for at least 2 years.

[jeff]

Here's a photo of the actual bottle, sent to me by Larry Kass of Heaven Hill.

[Rughi]

So,
The big question is: will civilians be able to purchase this wheatier wheat in mid-September - say the 14th-18? Because I didn't notice California listed as one of the anointed states.

I'd hate to come all that way, virtually to the source, only to find it was for tasting only, and not for sale until a few weeks later.

-Roger

[bourbonmed]

Jeff/Chuck:

Is it similar or identical to the Pogue bottle?
Omar

[jeff]

Omar,

From the picture it looks to me to be more similar to the Woodford Reserve bottle. Look out!

[cowdery]

I've only seen the same pictures you all have seen, but this seems to be a straight-sided flask-type bottle, whereas the Pogue bottle is tapered, if I remember correctly.

I believe Bourbon Festival attendees will be able to buy all they want at Toddy's and other local purveyors. You can even contact Guthrie (at Toddy's) in advance and ask him to hold some for you. It should be available throughout Kentucky by mid-September, wherever you choose to shop.

As for other states, I'm sure it's all about supply and demand. They want to see how it does in the initial states and how well their supply holds up before they start to offer it in other markets. Since this is a relatively young product and since they have been making it steadily since the first batch, unless it goes through the roof in the initial markets they'll probably roll it out further soon enough. As for when, where and how soon, it's not that they aren't saying, it's that they don't know. It all depends on what happens in the initial release states.

[koji]

I didn't know when it was coming out so I didn't really know when to put
this picture up, and I kind of forgot about it, I interviewed Craig Beam at
Bernheim in 2003.Sep.17th and he showed me this sample bottle.
On the bottle it says 2000.Jan.10, it was very rich in color and taste for a
whiskey that young he told me it was 125 proof 51% wheat, aged all in
Bardstown, and hopefully the product will be 5~6years when it was coming
out as a product.
I know this one is not gonna make it to the Japanese market, this was one
goood whiskey(well at barrel proof it was)Can't wait till September.

Koji

[BourbonJoe]

Gary,
I agree with your statement about praises for Heaven Hill. I, for one am anxiously awaiting the release. Since I live in Pennsylvania, I'll let you all know when it hits our shelves.
Joe

[cowdery]

That's the stuff. The first batch was 129 barrels made in January of 2000.

I have a little more information. The suggested retail price for Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey will be $39.99.