What are they?

[Stu]

I had to go to MO yesterday and while there I stopped by a liquor store. They had two bourbons on sale that I never I heard of, but if they'd have been much cheaper they'd have had to pay me to take them. One is 1492, "charcoal filtered" is written on the label, but it also says "Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey" aged 36 months, bottled by Nelson distillers. First question: how do you charcoal filter a bourbon - I thought that made it Tennessee whiskey. The other is Bellows, four years old, Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey botlled by Bellows and Co. I have never heard of either of these. I tried them last night and was pleasantly surprised, considering how little I paid. If I had to guess, I'd say 1492 is made by Heaven Hill. Bellows reminds of a Barton product. Second question: does anyone know what distilleries these whiskeys come from? Third question: has anyone else tried either of these? If so, what is your opinion of them?

Thanks for the help,

Stu

[mozilla]

Stu,
Do you have any bottle dates for your two in question. Also, pictures would help narrow down the time of manufacture. These factors, should help with the answere .
Jeff M

[barturtle]

Many bourbons are charcoal filtered. This is not the pre-barreling, 10 feet of charcoal, Lincoln County Process that Tennessee Whisk(e)y goes through, but much more akin to a Brita water filter. It's likely they are referring to activated charcoal that is used during the bottling process to remove excess barrel char from the finished product (stripping flavor along the way).

1492 is indeed a Heaven Hill product, Bellows I can't seem to find listed, not in a quick check anyway.

Can't say that I've tried either.

[bobbyc]

BRANDS

Bourbon: Jim Beam White, Jim Beam Black, Beam's Choice, Booker's, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's, Baker's, Old Grand-Dad, Old Crow, Old Taylor, Bellows Bourbon, Sunny Brook, Bourbon Deluxe, Old Bourbon Hollow, Bonded Beam, Distiller's Masterpiece Port Finish.

My guess is it came from the buyout of National. I found a print ad on ebay from 1956 and the artwork looks a lot like one I have from Old Granddad, but then they wouldn't have had a patent on that.

[Stu]

Jeff and Timothy,

Thanks very much. I'm neither a photographer nor a computer whiz but I'll try to attach a couple of photos (with my wifes help).

Personally, last night I liked the 1492 better. I'm surprised that you said the charcoal would strip flavor. I'll try them again tonight and compare them to a premium bourbon or two.

Stu

[mozilla]

Stu, your bottle of bellows is from jim beam. they purchased the label in the ND buyout. old bottles will have the ND juice, though yours appears to be all beam.
Jeff M

[Stu]

Thank you all for the help. Next time I'm in MO (if they still have any) I'll grab a couple of bottles for the gazebo in Sept. Right now it's time to shower and go the back deck and re evaluate them.

Stu