Oregon gets in on the LDI action

[CorvallisCracker]

While at my favorite liquor store today, I spotted a new bourbon, Big Bottom Whiskey "American Straight Bourbon Whiskey". Three years old, 91 proof, $29.95, marketed (bottled?) by some outfit in Hillsboro (just SW of Portland). Looking at the back of the bottle I see "Distilled in Indiana". Viewing the address via Google Earth it appears to be operating out of rented warehouse space.

Here's the website.

Later this month they'll be releasing a two year old that's been finished in port casks. I'm sure it's the same source as both are described as being 36% rye.

A final note to those considering participation in VBT 311 - this is not it. I'm way too cheap to spend $30 on a three year old bourbon. I'm curious about LDI bourbon, but not that curious.

[Medicfrost]

I have a feeling I'll never get to see this in Florida.

[Inthewater]

Hmm, wonder if it will taste like Templeton Rye?

[TomH]

Hmm, wonder if it will taste like Templeton Rye?

I figure this was said tongue-in-cheek, but on the off chance it was not, the LDI bourbons (e.g. Redemption, Harrison) do not resemble the LDI ryes.

My eyes aren't great, but it did look like it was bottled at somewhere in the 90+ proof area so I would imagine it is pretty close to the Redemption Bourbon.

Tom

[Inthewater]

Tongue firmly in cheek, Tom.

:grin:

[Inthewater]

Also, I thought it said it was 36% Rye or something, up above. That was why I made my smart-assed, and seemingly non-funny, comment.

[CorvallisCracker]

Please let's not turn this one into another flame war. PLEASE! :skep:

[Inthewater]

Huh?

Who is flaming anyone?

Well, I am "flaming" Templeton, but I didn't know that was against the TOS. :skep:

[Inthewater]

In all seriousness, I saw the Rye, saw LDI and thought it may be a similar flavor as Templeton.

Well, the juice before aging anyway.

[ethangsmith]

Ok, I'm behind the ball on this one, who or what is LDI??

[Inthewater]

From what I know, and I am not an expert by far, they are a huge distillery that makes a lot of white dog for companies that age and/or market but do not distill.

http://www.lawrenceburgdistillersindiana.com/

Think that is the place, but I may be wrong.

[CorvallisCracker]

Ok, I'm behind the ball on this one, who or what is LDI??

See this thread.

[Inthewater]

There it is.

Pretty cool place, really. They make a lot of product there.

[CorvallisCracker]

From what I know, and I am not an expert by far, they are a huge distillery that makes a lot of white dog for companies that age and/or market but do not distill.

They do age it there. Reportedly all of the older stock is already sold (to Diageo, Pernod-Ricard¹, High West and others) who are content to let it continue to reside on the LDI premises.

1. I have no idea why P-R would want it; maybe they have Plans.

[ethangsmith]

Wow. Quite the place. So I guess some day when I launch E.G. Smith Rye BIB I know where I can have it distilled!

[cowdery]

LDI has long been a bit of an enigma. As Scott mentioned, they do have warehouses and do age whiskey there, and they do a lot of business with Diageo although claims that Diageo has cornered the market on their aged stock are purely speculative. At present their business seems somewhat disorderly, almost as if they are having a fire sale. Ever since their formerly well-heeled parent collapsed in the financial crisis, they've been acting like a company that's selling the fixtures to keep the lights on.

[CorvallisCracker]

So I guess some day when I launch E.G. Smith Rye BIB I know where I can have it distilled!

It does seem to be the quickest way to get into the biz. If I did it I expect my label would be Old Potemkin.

Or I could distill it here.

...they've been acting like a company that's selling the fixtures to keep the lights on.

I wonder how much they want for one of their stills.

[Inthewater]

Interesting stuff. I didn't realise they actually aged the stuff there too, just thought they made the raw materials.

Thanks for the info.

[flintlock]

LDI has long been a bit of an enigma. As Scott mentioned, they do have warehouses and do age whiskey there, and they do a lot of business with Diageo although claims that Diageo has cornered the market on their aged stock are purely speculative. At present their business seems somewhat disorderly, almost as if they are having a fire sale. Ever since their formerly well-heeled parent collapsed in the financial crisis, they've been acting like a company that's selling the fixtures to keep the lights on.

I wonder if you could go on a barrel tasting tour and pick one out to buy?:cool:

[ILLfarmboy]

It does seem to be the quickest way to get into the biz. If I did it I expect my label would be Old Potemkin.

I love it.

In keeping with the times you could have a picture on the label of an inflatable still-house designed to fool anyone looking at satellite imagery of your property.

:slappin: :slappin:

[cowdery]

I wonder if you could go on a barrel tasting tour and pick one out to buy?:cool:

Why don't you call them and find out? I'll come. I'm only 5 hours away.

[CorvallisCracker]

Why don't you call them and find out? I'll come. I'm only 5 hours away.

Ask them how much they want for one of their stills. And whether they'd take Magic Beans.

[Rughi]

I wonder if you could go on a barrel tasting tour and pick one out to buy?:cool:

They would probably sell a few barrels at a time to other producers or wholesalers. I've found the bigger question is who will bottle that small of an amount. That can also be done, but it raises the level of effort and cost.

It's also unlikely they have any bourbon over 3yo available.

[cowdery]

They would probably sell a few barrels at a time to other producers or wholesalers. I've found the bigger question is who will bottle that small of an amount. That can also be done, but it raises the level of effort and cost.

It's also unlikely they have any bourbon over 3yo available.

Good point. LDI has bottling but not, to my knowledge, a single-barrel bottling line. Of course you could transfer it to someone who does, if you could persuade them to bottle it for you.

[kickert]

Good point. LDI has bottling but not, to my knowledge, a single-barrel bottling line. Of course you could transfer it to someone who does, if you could persuade them to bottle it for you.

I have tasted some LDI 3yo barrels... nothing you would write home about. The ones I tasted had that grassy rye flavor that I normally associate with young HH products.