All your Van Winkle questions answered

[sob0728]

Thanks to John and Chuck. Interesting and informative.

http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2012/06/11/what%e2%80%99s-in-that-bottle-of-van-winkle-anyway/

These statements seem to mesh with everything the Van Winkles and Harlan Wheatley have said. Even admitting that the 20/23 have BT juice in them. And the 15 will have some amount (likely small, I would guess) of S-W juice, which was unexpected information (at least to me).

[p_elliott]

Here we go again .............

[TradingBoiler]

I agree! This post completely caught me off guard but kudos to John Hansell, Chuck Cowdery, and the Whiskey Advocate guys for hopefully putting all the finger pointing to rest. All that matters is it's damn fine bourbon that is meant to be enjoyed!

[sob0728]

Here we go again .............

I knew this topic would draw some ire from a lot of people around here, but I thought it was interesting information.

[LostBottle]

So it would seem that Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 was the last release where Pappy 20 & 23 were all SW whiskey (remember, Julian confirmed 2011 20 & 23 were 100% Stitzel-Weller). With the distillery closing in 1992 and BT and Bernheim not making those wheaters until '91 and '92, this makes perfect sense for the 20 - they must be light on 23 barrels.

[jbutler]

I knew this topic would draw some ire from a lot of people around here, but I thought it was interesting information.

It's pretty simple really. If this one blows up like the last one, then some folks are going to find themselves without posting privileges.

[Brisko]

Thanks to John and Chuck. Interesting and informative.

http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2012/06/11/what%e2%80%99s-in-that-bottle-of-van-winkle-anyway/

These statements seem to mesh with everything the Van Winkles and Harlan Wheatley have said. Even admitting that the 20/23 have BT juice in them. And the 15 will have some amount (likely small, I would guess) of S-W juice, which was unexpected information (at least to me).

[clingman71]

Thank you. I am in no way informed beyond what we've all already read. But my opinion mixed with what I believe to be common sense was that there would be years of "mixed" bottles. It's the only thing that makes sense to keep a profile consistent and ease the transition. The 15 being a mix of all 3 now, then Bernheim/BT before 100% BT is what I assumed was the case, just not knowing the timing ('09,'11, or '12) that it would happen. It does seem strange that the 20 and 23 are a mix of SW/BT w/o Bernheim, but maybe the amount and age of their Bernheim stock didn't fit the bill. I still like knowing the source for my.own.personal knowledge, but in the end it doesn't change my opinion of the product. I've never had a bad bottle of Van Winkle. I am a big fan of Weller, but there is some inconsistency , it seems like VW is the Weller insurance policy so to speak, best of a good brand.

The surprise in this to me is that the12 isn't 100% BT. And as I've said before, I understand their marketing plan to keep their product low supply/high demand, but I don't think bumping ORVW some would hurt the lot B and Pappy image.

[MacinJosh]

I applaud John and Chuck for contacting Julian and advocating for open transparency. I know it can get a bit complicated for Independent Bottlers in terms of relationships with the distillers and whatnot, but I'm always in favor of full disclosure. As an enthusiast, I appreciate the effort.

Good article. Thank you gentlemen.

[White Dog]

I really didn't wanna post on this thread, but I can't help myself.

According to the article, this fall's 23yr will be a mixture of BT and S-W. The article also states that BT started making wheated Bourbon in 1991. So the BT component in the 23 is NOT 23 years old. Maybe this years release will be the Old no.23 Brand.

I really don't give a rats ass, as I have no plans on buying it, but I'm just saying...

[CorvallisCracker]

I really didn't wanna post on this thread, but I can't help myself.

[Rughi]

Hey guys, check it out!

All the cool people are moving on to speculate whether Breakout Rye is made at Dickel. Hey, wait up...

[Brisko]

I'm not going to look up the original trainwreck thread but I recall that the claim was made that BT had been contract distilling wheated mash for many years, since 1981, maybe?

damn it, now I've gone and posted on this thread twice.

[CorvallisCracker]

I pointed out the same discrepancy in a comment posted to Hansell's article. It continues to be "awaiting moderation". As there is a published comment timestamped later than mine, I expect "awaiting moderation" will be its perpetual state.

[JohnHansell]

Boy, do I know that feeling.

I pointed out the same discrepancy in a comment posted to Hansell's article. It continues to be "awaiting moderation". As there is a published comment timestamped later than mine, I expect "awaiting moderation" will be its perpetual state.

They hate it when you ask questions for which they have no good answer. :searching:

It's up. I am allowed to have lunch, you know. :grin: Only first-time commentors go into the moderation queue. The comment afterwards was from a regular commentor and it went straight through. Your next comment will go straight through. We are waiting to hear back from Julian on the math discrepancy.

[JohnHansell]

It's pretty simple really. If this one blows up like the last one, then some folks are going to find themselves without posting privileges.

Yeah, I've only canned three people in the many years of my blog. "Harry G" on the Pappy 15 post was #3.

[CorvallisCracker]

I recall that the claim was made that BT had been contract distilling wheated mash for many years, since 1981, maybe?

Yes, perhaps he meant to say 1981, not 1991. After all, I think JVW III is even older than me and I have trouble remembering anything that occurred over a week ago.

It's up. I am allowed to have lunch, you know. :grin:

You don't have it at your desk, like us high-productivity types?

Only first-time commentors go into the moderation queue.

I've never commented there before? Really? I thought I had...was a couple of weeks ago...

We are waiting to hear back from Julian on the math discrepancy.

We are too. Thanks!

[JohnHansell]

You don't have it at your desk, like us high-productivity types? I've never commented there before? Really? I thought I had...was a couple of weeks ago...!

Actually, it was a bike ride I took at lunch. (Too much beer, whiskey and food over the weekend...) Normally I eat at my desk too. :frown:

Regarding the moderation thing, I've noticed this in the past, too, where regular commentors get stuck in the queue. Not sure why. I just assumed the person was using a different email or IP address.

[cowdery]

And, of course, we had to take time out to put the final touches on our plan for world domination. My black helicopter is warming up now. Have I said too much?

[CorvallisCracker]

Regarding the moderation thing, I've noticed this in the past, too, where regular commentors get stuck in the queue. Not sure why. I just assumed the person was using a different email or IP address.

Previous comment(s) would have been made from my laptop, which uses a different IP address. Also might have been made as "CorvallisCracker" rather than my name, if that makes a difference.

And pardon me if the comment came off as a little paranoid, but that sort of thing does happen. A while ago I was visiting a blog site where a commenter (not me) accused the blogger of posting a certain "tells all" article in an effort to generate more interest in his blog. Said blogger replied that if that had been his goal, he'd have posted pics of naked girls. I checked the hosting organization's TOS, saw that wouldn't be allowed, and posted a comment pointing that out. Comment was never published. :skep: Which does not help my already too cynical nature.

But I should have given you the benefit of the doubt. My apologies.

Have I said too much?

Ask Jim.

[Josh]

And pardon me if the comment came off as a little paranoid, but that sort of thing does happen. A while ago I was visiting a blog site where a commenter (not me) accused the blogger of posting a certain "tells all" article in an effort to generate more interest in his blog. Said blogger replied that if that had been his goal, he'd have posted pics of naked girls. I checked the hosting organization's TOS, saw that wouldn't be allowed, and posted a comment pointing that out. Comment was never published. :skep: Which does not help my already too cynical nature.

Funny. You did a similar thing to my blog but like John I made sure the comment was posted. Odd.

[CorvallisCracker]

Funny. You did a similar thing to my blog but like John I made sure the comment was posted. Odd.

It was to your blog I was referring.

What's odd is that I made the comment on May 26, about the same time as Oscar and Ben made theirs. Did not see mine posted, quit checking after three days or so. Having no other reason to visit your blog, I was unaware that my comment was eventually posted with a "June 6" date.

[sob0728]

Funny. You did a similar thing to my blog but like John I made sure the comment was posted. Odd.

What's really strange is that the only reason I ended up getting into bourbon is because I accidentally ended up on your blog after misspelling nipology.:grin:

[Josh]

It was to your blog I was referring.

What's odd is that I made the comment on May 26, about the same time as Oscar and Ben made theirs. Did not see mine posted, quit checking after three days or so. Having no other reason to visit your blog, I was unaware that my comment was eventually posted with a "June 6" date.

I apologize for the oversight. I am happy to offer you 100% of the revenue I earned off of my blog last year as restitution, and 8x10 copies of all the pictures of naked women I posted last year, at my expense of course.

What's really strange is that the only reason I ended up getting into bourbon is because I accidentally ended up on your blog after misspelling nipology.:grin:

From what I hear, nipology's viewership has been sagging in recent years.

[smokinjoe]

Of course, I earned my BS in Nipology at Ball State...