The Animal Collection?

[augustgarage]

I was at my local today and was told that distinct from the Antique Collection this year, there will be something which he called the "Animal Collection," which will include a 20yo rye, and possibly something new from Van Winkle. He said it would be available in Autumn. I can't decide if the distributor was playing an April Fool's joke on him when they got their most recent allocation of Van Winkle in or what...

Anybody else hear anything about this?

[Pink]

I think it's a SoCal only release. I visited once, and I met some animals.

[Beakerboy]

This was announced on April 1st as Mark's annual April Fools Joke

Buffalo Trace Introduces New Whiskeys

Source: Buffalo Trace Distillery

April 1st, 2009

Following on the from the successful launch and sale of allocated whiskeys that form the "Antique Collection", this summer Buffalo Trace Distillery will be launching a new collection of special and highly allocated whiskeys under the "Animal Collection" banner.

The "Animal Collection" will feature special editions of current brands Buffalo Trace and George T. Stagg, and will be joined by three new whiskeys - Groundhog, Tufted Deer and Gray Fox. All the new whiskeys are named in honor of the animals that inhabit the Trace's 135 acre distillery.

Groundhog will be a 20 year old small batch bourbon whiskey nicknamed "Earl", after a very large older groundhoug that resides under one of the log cabins. Earl is the patriarch, along with cousin "George", of what is believed to be a large family of some 20 groundhogs, who are seen regularly by guests and visitors to the distillery. The initial release will be 2,400 bottles. Tufted deer will be a small batch straight rye whiskey aged for 12 years, with 1,800 bottles being available. The distillery is currently host to six tufted deer, close by the Stony Point Mansion. Gray Fox will be a 15 year old, barrel proof "wheated" bourbon, with 1,800 bottles in the initial release. The area around Warehouse B is host to two gray foxes.

Buffalo Trace will be a 15 year old single barrel rye recipe bourbon, 1,200 bottles and Stagg, a 20 year old single barrel, bottled at barrel proof, also 1,200 bottles.

Kris Comstock, Brand Manager for Buffalo Trace commented that "the potential for expansion given the number of wild animals at the Trace is unlimited and we look forward to expanding the collection in the years to come, we are also looking at a "Bird collection", anchored by Eagle Rare". For additional details on local availability and the anticipated release dates, please contact April Day, Associate Brand Manager at afday@buffalotrace.com

It sounds like someone fell for it.

[fricky]

I fell for it. I guess that excitement over new whiskey releases clouded my judgement or maybe it is related to oldtimer's disease.

[callmeox]

Don't feel bad. My ham radio club was up in arms about a story that San Luis Obispo county in California was banning Ham Radio due to the effects of RF on the brains of children. The story was very elaborate, but anyone reading it with a lick of objectivity could tell that it was a hoax.

Lots of cranky old men got caught up in that one.

[Josh]

Seemed to have been an animal theme to the April Fool's whiskeys this year!

[SBOmarc]

I think it's a SoCal only release. I visited once, and I met some animals.