Beam releases a new Old Crow?

[mgilbertva]

I was thinking of naming this thread "Crow flies again," but I would have to try some before I could be that optimistic.

I was talking to one of my favorite bourbon purveyors (who will remain nameless until I know it's ok to identify the source of this gossip) and he was telling me about a new release from Beam: an Old Crow Reserve at 86 proof. How long has it been since we've seen an 86 proof Crow? Of course, it may be that no one cares any longer...

Be that as it may, it's being called "Old Crow Reserve," suggesting more time in oak, but that remains to be seen. Pricing is unknown at this point too, but the speculation was it will be aimed at something a bit above rail prices.

Anyone have any more info on this? And a second question: what juice is OC made from these days? Is it standard Beam juice or do they still use the old recipe? I always assumed it was the former.

[Josh]

It looks like the Beam reorganization is already paying off! I have had the pleasure of having ND Old Crow (from when it was good) and the displeasure of having the current article. The current Old Crow is embarassingly underaged whiskey that is definately from the standard Beam yeast & mashbill.

I hope they do improve the Crow. But I hope they make it more than just another mid-shelf Beam like JBB, KC & JBDS (all of which I like btw).

[mgilbertva]

Yeah, the old expression was outstanding. We were fortunate to find bunch of the chess set series of Old Crow decanters - truly outstanding bourbon. Plus I have some older 80 proof from the 70s. Again, fabulous stuff.

Unless someone can correct me on this, I assume the current and the upcoming reserve edition of OC is the standard Beam juice. So, it will be nothing like the glorious OC of old.

[spun_cookie]

grooooovy .... i would love some old style crow to come back....

[mgilbertva]

That's the problem - I'm betting it's not old school Old Crow, but just another variant of the standard Beam recipe.

[OscarV]

This is very interesting.

I wonder if this is a reaction to the new Old Taylor that Buffalo Trace is going to do, to be renamed Col E H Taylor?

Or if Beam had this in mind when they sold the Old Taylor label to BT?

[ThomasH]

How about coming out with a Crow super deluxe at 100 proof!

Thomas

[texascarl]

Supercharged Crow = Raven. Age it a bit, release @ 100 proof, call it Hugin and Munin.

[CygnusX-1]

Or if Beam had this in mind when they sold the Old Taylor label to BT?

That would make sense, mabey this will fill the void of 6 year beam juice since they have a lable for 3 year (OC), 4 year (JBW), 5 year (JBC), 6 year (new old crow?) 7 year (JBW kentucky only), and 8 year (JBB)

[Josh]

That would make sense, mabey this will fill the void of 6 year beam juice since they have a lable for 3 year (OC), 4 year (JBW), 5 year (JBC), 6 year (new old crow?) 7 year (JBW kentucky only), and 8 year (JBB)

Don't forget the Distiller's Series. 7 y/o for us non Kentuckyians.

[Bourbon Geek]

That would make sense, mabey this will fill the void of 6 year beam juice since they have a lable for 3 year (OC), 4 year (JBW), 5 year (JBC), 6 year (new old crow?) 7 year (JBW kentucky only), and 8 year (JBB)

Don't forget KC (9 yo) ...whenever it is available again...

[CygnusX-1]

Don't forget KC (9 yo) ...whenever it is available again...

Yea i wasnt counting the small batch collection cause i think chuck said they come off the still at lower proofs so i was just talking about the juice that comes off at 135 proof, and i thought the DS was limited edition so it wont be made any more unless they plan on keeping it around

[Josh]

Yea i wasnt counting the small batch collection cause i think chuck said they come off the still at lower proofs so i was just talking about the juice that comes off at 135 proof, and i thought the DS was limited edition so it wont be made any more unless they plan on keeping it around

That's what I thought at first too, but it seems to be a permanent fixture on shelves around here now.

[ErichPryde]

7 year (JBW kentucky only)

Uhh... I can purchase handles of JBW 7 here in Wichita. it's a couple bucks more than the four year, I used to mix it with Barq's rootbeer all the time. Did they recently make it a KY release only?

[CygnusX-1]

That's what I thought at first too, but it seems to be a permanent fixture on shelves around here now.

The abc store closest to my house had it up until just recently, i hope they do keep it its grown on me

[cowdery]

I should know more soon, but I have tentative confirmation that the rumor is true and, perhaps more importantly, this is the first of many new whiskey expressions coming soon from Beam Global, in response to some of the clamoring we've done here.

Trust me on this, if you want to get a message to any of the producers, post it on StraightBourbon, because they're all reading it.

[DeanSheen]

I should know more soon, but I have tentative confirmation that the rumor is true and, perhaps more importantly, this is the first of many new whiskey expressions coming soon from Beam Global, in response to some of the clamoring we've done here.

Trust me on this, if you want to get a message to any of the producers, post it on StraightBourbon, because they're all reading it.

Good.

Dear Beam Global,

The only expression you currently make that I must have is OGD 114.

There are a few others in your portfolio that I can drink but it is sad that there are not more enjoyable expressions in your product line considering the size of your company. Anything you can do to remedy this situation will be supported by my wallet.

Sincerely,

A member of one of your most desired demographics.

[OscarV]

Trust me on this, if you want to get a message to any of the producers, post it on StraightBourbon, because they're all reading it.

I hope they don't get to pissed off about some of things I've said about Beam.:slappin:

[Josh]

I hope they don't get to pissed off about some of things I've said about Beam.:slappin:

If they've been coming here for a while, I'm sure they're on to you by now, O.

As for me:

Dear Beam Global,

I'm not a Beam hater. I like JB Black, Distillers' Series, Old Grandad BiB, 114, Knob Creek, Booker's & Baker's. But everything else basically blows, except the 86 proof OGD which is ok.

Anyway, do something interesting, huh? I'm getting tired of defending you to all these drunks online.

Have a blessed day,

Josh aka Josh

P.S. Got any HR positions open?

[CygnusX-1]

If they've been coming here for a while, I'm sure they're on to you by now, O.

As for me:

Dear Beam Global,

I'm not a Beam hater. I like JB Black, Distillers' Series, Old Grandad BiB, 114, Knob Creek, Booker's & Baker's. But everything else basically blows, except the 86 proof OGD which is ok.

Anyway, do something interesting, huh? I'm getting tired of defending you to all these drunks online.

Have a blessed day,

Josh aka Josh

P.S. Got any HR positions open?

i agree, i like some of your stuff alot but would like more choices and something more interesting to bourbon enthuisit, also i think you should treat this new old crow with respect to what it used to be like you have done with Old Grand Dad

[cowdery]

i agree, i like some of your stuff alot but would like more choices and something more interesting to bourbon enthuisit, also i think you should treat this new old crow with respect to what it used to be like you have done with Old Grand Dad

What I'm hearing from sources at Beam is that they are receiving the message about creating "something more interesting to bourbon enthusiasts," and they have some new products in the pipeline.

[bourbon-n00b]

Great to hear that Beam is taking more interests in the enthusiast market but still, at 86 proof, this is pretty diluted stuff. Hopefully more higher-proof offerings are in the works for the future.

[funknik]

Great to hear that Beam is taking more interests in the enthusiast market but still, at 86 proof, this is pretty diluted stuff. Hopefully more higher-proof offerings are in the works for the future.

It's true, but proof isn't everything -- at 86, I think the EWSB is great and I have no complaints about it. As long as it tastes good -- it is good. The Old Crow 10yr 86 that they put in the chess sets was very, very good (although it was no doubt at a higher proof by the time I got to it due to evaporation), so it's possible to bottle terrific whiskey at 86 proof -- let's be optimistic! :grin:

[bourbon-n00b]

It's true, but proof isn't everything -- at 86, I think the EWSB is great and I have no complaints about it. As long as it tastes good -- it is good. The Old Crow 10yr 86 that they put in the chess sets was very, very good (although it was no doubt at a higher proof by the time I got to it due to evaporation), so it's possible to bottle terrific whiskey at 86 proof -- let's be optimistic! :grin:

I've only had one of the EWSB and it was pretty good but it fell a little short of the very flavorful, higher-proof brands I have had. I'd always opt for a Grand-Dad 114 or even just a Wild Turkey 101 over EWSB, and that's before taking price into account.

Hey, if this new Crow is good, cool. And the fact that Beam is keeping the bourbon fiends in mind is wonderful news. I just think that if this was coming out at around 100 proof, it'd be a better product for it and it'd generate more buzz among the faithful. But unless it gets horrible reviews out of the gate, I'll give it a shot for sure.

That all being said, I am just taking my first baby steps into the world of bourbon appreciation and maybe as I progress, I will learn to further enjoy more of what the lower-proof options have to offer.

[cowdery]

For the record, I can't confirm the details yet, but there is something in the works involving Old Crow and also (and this is the bigger news) Maker's Mark. By "can't confirm" I mean I don't know. I wouldn't hold out on you.