What will happen to SW prices when the last barrels are dry?

[BBQ+Bourbon]

This is really bothering me. To me, the SW whiskey is the holy grail and knowing that it will only become more scarce over time is frightening. Naturally there will be other great whiskey, but nothing will ever replace it.

So, what will happen to the values of SW juice 5 years from now? Ten years? Twenty?

Am I crazy for thinking that JRPS is a great investment at $82 a bottle? I already feel like the bottle of 07 PHC was a bargain at $78.

Is it true that gold veined OWA is bringing well over $100?

Sheesh. As a whiskey nut, it's worrying that I might not be able to afford the pours I really enjoy in the near future.

[jburlowski]

Sound like pretty common symptoms....

Sit down, pour yourself a healthy pour, and relax.

You can't do anything about it so it's best to let go.

[Big TR]

Please help a newbie out with the lingo.

SW?

JRPS?

[Lost Pollito]

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/announcement.php?f=43&a=8

That should help Big Tr.

[cowdery]

You know how a lot of times, when they report something like a new interest rate from the Federal Reserve, the reporter will say something like, "the market had already factored that into prices." The SW situation is sort of like that. The distillery has, after all, been silent for 17 years. Even in the slow-moving world of whiskey, that's a long time.

That said, items like Pappy 15 and Jefferson's may be some of your last chances to buy SW whiskey for less than $100 a bottle.

[sku]

This is really bothering me. To me, the SW whiskey is the holy grail and knowing that it will only become more scarce over time is frightening. Naturally there will be other great whiskey, but nothing will ever replace it.

So, what will happen to the values of SW juice 5 years from now? Ten years? Twenty?

Am I crazy for thinking that JRPS is a great investment at $82 a bottle? I already feel like the bottle of 07 PHC was a bargain at $78.

Is it true that gold veined OWA is bringing well over $100?

Sheesh. As a whiskey nut, it's worrying that I might not be able to afford the pours I really enjoy in the near future.

You need only look to our friends in Scotland and check the prices for Brora, Port Ellen, Rosebank, Dallas Dhu, Glenugie, St. Magdeline and the many other closed distilleries. Prices will go very high and potentially come out of alignment with quality. The one thing we Americans have going for us is that there's not much of a resale market for American whiskey (it being mostly illegal), so speculation is less likely to drive up prices (unless the Scots and Europeans suddenly discover S-W).

[Big TR]

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/announcement.php?f=43&a=8

That should help Big Tr.

Thanks. I thought I saw that post once upon a time when I first started trolling around here, but couldn't locate it again.

[ggilbertva]

Hmmm.....interesting question. I may need to hit the dusty spots I know still have SW sitting on the shelves or back rooms and load up once again. I need more $$.:skep:

[spun_cookie]

Hmmm.....interesting question. I may need to hit the dusty spots I know still have SW sitting on the shelves or back rooms and load up once again. I need more $$.:skep:

I hear that... I have a hard time opening mine becuase I know we are down to the end... I have been stocking Older WT 8yr of late... been on a handle spree... got to love the handels.. twice the juice for the same price or less sometimes (from the 70s and 80s that is)...

[boss302]

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/announcement.php?f=43&a=8

That should help Big Tr.

But it doesn't. None of those acronyms are covered in that post.

So, Big Tr, my best guesses are SW= (I think) Stitzel Weller, and JRPS= (I think) Jefferson's Reserve Presidential Select.

Honestly, would it kill any of us to type out the names every now and then? Especially for the fairly esoteric stuff, like this?

[indyrider]

Im definitely liking the Pappy 15 much more than the Jeff Pres Reserve....I dont know if its the higher proof and just a more rounded SW profile, but I'll be stocking the Pappy instead, 2 bottles for the price of one JPR17....

[silverfish]

Hmmm.....interesting question. I may need to hit the dusty spots I know still have SW sitting on the shelves or back rooms and load up once again. I need more $$.:skep:

Is there a list of what SW whiskey (brands/names)

is currently available? From this thread I gather these

are all included:

JRPS

Pappys

WT 8yr

I did check this thread and found a few bottles listed.

[T Comp]

Im definitely liking the Pappy 15 much more than the Jeff Pres Reserve....I dont know if its the higher proof and just a more rounded SW profile, but I'll be stocking the Pappy instead, 2 bottles for the price of one JPR17....

Prior posts I recall state that current Pappy 15 (08 and 09) is not SW juice. Good luck figuring out any bottling date. It sure don't stick around long enough in most places to be anything more than current.

[IronHead]

Is there a list of what SW whiskey (brands/names)

is currently available? From this thread I gather these

are all included:

JRPS

Pappys

WT 8yr

I did check this thread and found a few bottles listed.

I thought the WT 8yr was simply WT juice aged for 8 years.

I am sure this has been covered somewhere down the road but this seems like a good thread in which to bring it back up:

Why is it that no one is producing juice from the SW mashbill and yeast strain? Or was Stitzel Weller a time and place thing and we will never see those results reproduced? Or is BT producing it with Julien and Preston and we are just waiting for the results to come of age?

[ggilbertva]

Is there a list of what SW whiskey (brands/names)

is currently available? From this thread I gather these

are all included:

JRPS

Pappys

WT 8yr

I did check this thread and found a few bottles listed.

WT 8 yr is not SW juice. It's good stuff but WT is a rye bourbon while SW is a wheat bourbon.

I won't go into years of production because it would take a really long time to compile that info (might be a blog entry later on), but in no particular order, SW has been found in the following (not an exhaustive list by any means):

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond

Old Fitzgerald Prime (various proofs)

Cabin Still

Old Weller Antique

Weller Special Reserve

Old Rip Van Winkle

Pappy Van Winkle

Old Fitzgerald 1849

William LaRue Weller

Weller 12 year

Weller Centennial

Very Special Old Fitzgerald

Very Old Fitzgerald

Very Very Old Fitzgerald

Very Extra Old Fitzgerald

Wellers Antique Reserve

Henry Clay

Joseph Finch

Rebel Yell

Van Winkle Family Reserve Lot B

Various Willett bottlings

....there's probably a smattering of others but they don't come to mind.

[OscarV]

Henry Clay

Joseph Finch

Henry Clay and Joseph Finch are S-W?

There's two S-W's that I have that take on new prominence.

[BBQ+Bourbon]

I thought the WT 8yr was simply WT juice aged for 8 years.

I am sure this has been covered somewhere down the road but this seems like a good thread in which to bring it back up:

Why is it that no one is producing juice from the SW mashbill and yeast strain? Or was Stitzel Weller a time and place thing and we will never see those results reproduced? Or is BT producing it with Julien and Preston and we are just waiting for the results to come of age?

That's a great question!

I know the frustration of trying to decipher the shorthand around here. With the current discussion of Jefferson Reserve Presidential Select, I figured most people would know what JRPS referenced. Also, if you don't know what S-W is, it's probably best to keep it that way. Since it's becoming scarce and expensive, if you develop a love for the stuff, your wallet will hate you!:slappin:

[silverfish]

... but in no particular order, SW has been found in the following (not an exhaustive list by any means):

Great! Thanks for a starting point at least.

Nice to see that I already have a few from

that list, both opened & unopened

[ggilbertva]

Henry Clay and Joseph Finch are S-W?

There's two S-W's that I have that take on new prominence.

Oscar,

From what I remember, those two were from UD which would make it SW juice, but I could be wrong. I was going on dated memory on those two. I remember Chuck did a review quite a few years ago on Finch and mentions it's a rye bourbon which of course would mean it is not SW, but in doing some research, the distillery is listed as UD. Go figure. Diageo could have used barrels from other sources but I seem to remember both those bottles not only were bottled by UD but contained SW juice. If someone has contrary info, please post.

[ggilbertva]

Great! Thanks for a starting point at least.

Nice to see that I already have a few from

that list, both opened & unopened

When it comes to SW juice, I say "handle with care". I'm always nervous when visitors want to see my bunker and start picking up bottles, especially bottles like my SW stash.

[ggilbertva]

I thought the WT 8yr was simply WT juice aged for 8 years.

I am sure this has been covered somewhere down the road but this seems like a good thread in which to bring it back up:

Why is it that no one is producing juice from the SW mashbill and yeast strain? Or was Stitzel Weller a time and place thing and we will never see those results reproduced? Or is BT producing it with Julien and Preston and we are just waiting for the results to come of age?

I believe SW is a time and place thing. Remember, it's not just he mashbill that makes up the unique profile of SW whiskey. It's also the mash tub, water, yeast strain (if it still exists), still, barrel wood, stave thickness and char level, warehouse configuration, barrel placement, etc. There's so much that goes into a bourbon profile, I don't think it can ever be replicated. I think BT and Preston will do a good job (as they've done to date), in producing a good wheated bourbon.

[IronHead]

I believe SW is a time and place thing. Remember, it's not just he mashbill that makes up the unique profile of SW whiskey. It's also the mash tub, water, yeast strain (if it still exists), still, barrel wood, stave thickness and char level, warehouse configuration, barrel placement, etc. There's so much that goes into a bourbon profile, I don't think it can ever be replicated. I think BT and Preston will do a good job (as they've done to date), in producing a good wheated bourbon.

I agree that BT and the Van Winkles are producing a good wheated bourbon, but it never hurts to dream

[OscarV]

As far as achieving taste then aging is at the top of the list.

All mashbills are similar but yeast plays a major role.

Maker's still was built by the S-W Master Distiller with the same design as the S-W still.

Also didn't Pappy Van Winkle give Samuels Sr his recipe?

[ggilbertva]

Also didn't Pappy Van Winkle give Samuels Sr his recipe?

[OscarV]

Also didn't Pappy Van Winkle give Samuels Sr his recipe?