Flakes in Rare Breed

[Bmac]

I know this is barrel strength and unfiltered, but after I bought the bottle and had a look at it in the sun, I noticed white flakes all through out. I can see the cork and it looks intact and I don't see any dark mold-like spots. These flakes aren't the normal looking broad and flat, they are more stringy.

Is this the oils/fats that have cooled or is this some sort of cork flake that has come off?

[Stormeh]

I have noticed this in bottles of Rare Breed and in both cases it was obviously cork sediment. I suspect this is true in your case as well.

Rare Breed bottles are the only current whiskies I've had such cork problems with.

[Bmac]

It's weird, I cra ked it open and the cork looks perfect O_O.

Tastes good though...better thqn my expectations actually.

[Lazer]

This has happened to me from rare breed and surprisingly FR1b. The flakes are from the cork. You can fix it with a coffee filter and pouring the whiskey into another bottle, preferably one without a cork top. And then write a letter to all the bourbon bottlers pleading with them to stop using corks.:smiley_acbt:

[tmckenzie]

More than likely something carried through from the still. Fat probably.

[T Comp]

I know this is barrel strength and unfiltered, but after I bought the bottle and had a look at it in the sun, I noticed white flakes all through out. I can see the cork and it looks intact and I don't see any dark mold-like spots. These flakes aren't the normal looking broad and flat, they are more stringy.

Is this the oils/fats that have cooled or is this some sort of cork flake that has come off?

It might not be unfiltered. There was discussion back in 2010 that all Wild Turkey was chill filtered but that the new release of Rare Breed would not be. This was in 2010 and what BourbonJoe was told by Jimmy Russell but...has there been a new release of Rare Breed? Hard to tell as the label and bottle top have been the same for many years and still W-T-03RB. Jburlowski got an e-mail response from them that this was a trade secret. There was also some discussion on BE and whether Russell ala Wheatley even knew what he was talking about.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12507&page=2

[Bmac]

Didnt someone say that the higher the proof, the less impact chillfiltration has on a whiskey?

The label says "hand crafted and uncut with water". I know that doesnt say too much....but I think it's their way of suggesting it's unfiltered....though i cant imagine why they wouldnt advertise it.

[Bmac]

UPDATE: Well there's good news; it is NOT cork. It was coagulated fat/oil. The liquor store was very cold and my house isn't quite as cold (room temp). I checked this morning and there were no flakes or specs. I double checked the cork and no filaments or flakes rubbed off.

That tells me....Rare Breed is NOT chill filtered. No wonder it was so yummy!

[Lazer]

UPDATE: Well there's good news; it is NOT cork. It was coagulated fat/oil. The liquor store was very cold and my house isn't quite as cold (room temp). I checked this morning and there were no flakes or specs. I double checked the cork and no filaments or flakes rubbed off.

That tells me....Rare Breed is NOT chill filtered. No wonder it was so yummy!

I'm still not convinced. Its the cork I tell you. THE CORK!!! :893drillsergeant-th

[Bmac]

I'm still not convinced. Its the cork I tell you. THE CORK!!! :893drillsergeant-th

LoL!!! Too bad they don't have a shake fist emote (or shake fish emote O_O)

[ethangsmith]

Had a bottle of Kentucky Spirit that was REALLY flaky. Whiskey inside was awful too. Returned the bottle to Wild Turkey for a full refund. Not sure what it was, but it certainly affected the flavor of the whiskey!

[Young Blacksmith]

I had some white flakes show up in a handle of Weller 12, poured a drink of it and I swear it was sweeter. As the weather warmed up they have disappeared.

[Bmac]

I need some advice.

I emailed WT and asked what they were and if it was safe to drink. They asked for the laser code on the bottle. Then they sent me a box with shipping instructions.

So they want to take the bottle but have not said whether they will replace it or issue a check, etc.

So the questions are these:

1) Do I send it back to them? The flakes have disappeared and the flavor profile is incredible. Rich caramel and vanilla on the nose, and the palette is equal. It tastes amazing to me. The flakes means that it wasn't chill filtered.

2) Is the flavor profile consistent or are there variances.

3) Is there a known way to determine how old the bottle is?

Thanks in advance.

[Ejmharris]

I need some advice.

I emailed WT and asked what they were and if it was safe to drink. They asked for the laser code on the bottle. Then they sent me a box with shipping instructions.

So they want to take the bottle but have not said whether they will replace it or issue a check, etc.

So the questions are these:

1) Do I send it back to them? The flakes have disappeared and the flavor profile is incredible. Rich caramel and vanilla on the nose, and the palette is equal. It tastes amazing to me. The flakes means that it wasn't chill filtered.

2) Is the flavor profile consistent or are there variances.

3) Is there a known way to determine how old the bottle is?

Thanks in advance.

If your concern is gone and you call it incredible that is an easy decision, KEEP IT.

[Rughi]

...Do I send it back to them?...the flavor profile is incredible...

"Hey, I have an excellent bottle here. I'm shipping it back so you can try it."

If only QC was always like that.

Party at the QC lab!

Really, though, I wouldn't worry that they'll send you something equal to or better than you sent them.

[Bmac]

Really, though, I wouldn't worry that they'll send you something equal to or better than you sent them.

[Bmac]

Does anyone know someone who works at WT? A representative? I would really just like to discuss it. It was an honest question to them and I think they are just playing it safe3 by saying 'send it back.'

I wasn't complaining about the product.

[Young Blacksmith]

I think they're just covering all their customer service bases. Most people would send it back not knowing what or where the flakes might come from. Most people don't want stuff in their bourbon.

If you like it, I'd let them know by whatever means you have already contacted them, and let them know you won't be sending it back. That it tastes fine and will be consumed with joy.

[Lazer]

Never give the defendant control of the evidence. :skep:

[callmeox]

If the flakes are due to a lack of chill-filtering, don't make a big deal out of it and put Campari and WT in a position to rethink their decision.

[Bmac]

If the flakes are due to a lack of chill-filtering, don't make a big deal out of it and put Campari and WT in a position to rethink their decision.

Do you have any ideas on how to make that position if I am deciding to keep the bottle?

[callmeox]

"The flakes disappeared once I warmed the bottle slightly. As a side note, it is easily the most delicious bottle of Rare Breed that I have ever purchased. Keep up the great work!"

xoxo

Bmac

----

The ending needs work, but you get the idea. :grin:

[Bmac]

"The flakes disappeared once I warmed the bottle slightly. As a side note, it is easily the most delicious bottle of Rare Breed that I have ever purchased. Keep up the great work!"

xoxo

Bmac

----

The ending needs work, but you get the idea. :grin: