Jefferson 18 vs 17 year

[rutterb]

Is there a big difference between the two? I've passed on each the last couple days, but they still intrest me, mainly the s-w factor.

[soonami]

The general thought is that 18 is just 17 with an extra year on wood since the 18 came a year after the 17 and all subsequent batches are 18. They have different batch numbers, but people aren't sure if batch corresponds to any barrels and if the bourbon is just vatted in stainless tanks and then slowly released in bottles, a batch at a time so as to not flood the market. Also, the wording of the label is somewhat weird like, "age in SW barrels" or something like that so conspiracy theorists claim that make it's not SW distillate. Regardless, point is that there isn't a lot of info out there about these bourbons, and many find the quality to be variable.

Edited July 12, 2012 by soonami

[White Dog]

The barrels being used are variable, as they always are, but it is DSP-KY-16 to the best of my knowledge, which includes asking Trey Zoeller point blank at Whiskey Fest 2011 Chicago. I like the 17yr, as it's about $25 less in my parts, when you can still find it, and I can.:grin:

I do like this Whiskey, and yeah, it is a piece of history, if you're into that type of thing.

[soonami]

I just wanted to clarify that batch and bottling quality varies, although all the bourbon is distilled at SW.

In South Jersey, I've seen 17yo for around $75, 18yo is around $85

Question, as desirable as SW juice is how did Jefferson get ahold of some? Was this bourbon deemed inferior by BT/VW and thus sold? Or was this stuff that was lost and then found later during one of the several mergers?

[AaronWF]

Question, as desirable as SW juice is how did Jefferson get ahold of some? Was this bourbon deemed inferior by BT/VW and thus sold? Or was this stuff that was lost and then found later during one of the several mergers?

[Bmac]

Honestly I have scoured the website and I did not find the answers to my JPS questions.

I too would really.like to know the differences. I am confused because some releases are cask strength, some have hand written statistics, and then there is the printed versions.

I mean, why bother with batch numbers and bottle numbers when we don't know the final amount?

The only fact is that was agreed upon was that it was SW distallate for sure.

Where is Chuck and Stu with their investigative prowess? If there is anyone who could shed some light it is they.

[MacinJosh]

The only fact is that was agreed upon was that it was SW distallate for sure.

Actually, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not sure we know for a fact it's SW "juice". The label states "Aged in Stitzel-Weller barrels."

So what exactly does that mean? Who knows.....

But I do know most batches are pretty damn tasty, and that's all I care about.

[StraightNoChaser]

My understanding is that the JPS is Bernheim wheated bourbon aged in S-W cooperage

[MyOldKyDram]

I thought they claimed that it was indeed S-W juice. The wording does certainly gives one pause though. In the end no one really knows.

[redbear]

The old threads on this subject indicate that Bernheim was not yet distilling when this whiskey was put into barrels.

[smokinjoe]

Same here, WD. I emailed Trey Zoeller in September 2009, soon after the JPS 17 had debuted, and asked him "point blank" regarding it's provenance. His response: "That is correct, they (sic) bourbon was distilled in November and December of 1991 at Stitzel-Weller. I hope you get a chance to enjoy a bottle."

Now, that's the 17. I haven't followed much on the 18.

[MyOldKyDram]

The 18 was distilled in 91, also. I'm assuming it simply spent another year in the barrel.

[Trey Manthey]

My understanding is that the JPS is Bernheim wheated bourbon aged in S-W cooperage

I've heard this explanation before, but it doesn't make sense. Why would they take Bernheim whiskey and then send it to SW to be barreled and aged? Warehouses full?

My understanding is: SW distillate, stored at SW rickhouse until they were shuttered, then purchased and moved elsewhere to finish the aging.

[Restaurant man]

To me it tastes exactly like the stitzel profile

[White Dog]

To me it tastes exactly like the stitzel profile

[Bmac]

I see through the wording. They aren't SW so they can't say "Yeah, this is SW juice.". They can say they are barrels of SW juice. I think it's a way of revealing the province without having to pay royalties.

Besides, SW aged their barrels for a year before toasting/charring. They produced some of the most coveted barrels in bourbondom.

[redbear]

Here is the thread. This has already been discussed to death. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?14552-Jefferson-s-Reserve-Presidential-18/page3

[Bmac]

Here is the thread. This has already been discussed to death. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?14552-Jefferson-s-Reserve-Presidential-18/page3

Yeah. It's SW juice. It may not be as rich as PVW15 SW but it is DAMN fine stuff! I have to agree the flavor profile is SW. I have Bernheim wheted 17 yr and it tastes NOTHING like JPS18.

[Brisko]

How much would you guys pay for the 17? I saw one for just under $100 recently and figured that might be too much, based on what I remember from the other thread on the subject.

[soonami]

I think I paid around $75 for it after taxes in NJ. I've seen in the 18 go for $85-90 in the area

[clingman71]

To me it tastes exactly like the stitzel profile

I agree. I have a '71 Weller 107 and a PVW 20 that share more similarity with JPS than my CnB Weller 12 - Bernheim or Vintage 17, which.I assume to be Bernheim.

[Bmac]

I think I paid around $75 for it after taxes in NJ. I've seen in the 18 go for $85-90 in the area

The only store in the Dallas TX area known to sell this has it for 89 if you pay in cash, or 95 otherwise.

[StraightNoChaser]

The only store in the Dallas TX area known to sell this has it for 89 if you pay in cash, or 95 otherwise.

I think it's like $75 at Total Wine... Might call them to be sure. My friend almost got one but I directed him to the 4R 2011 LE SmB next door at Spec's and he was elated with the result

[Bmac]

I think it's like $75 at Total Wine... Might call them to be sure. My friend almost got one but I directed him to the 4R 2011 LE SmB next door at Spec's and he was elated with the result

is Total Wine next to the Spec's in Dallas?

[cowdery]

First, I can't believe we're talking about the origin of Jefferson's again.

Second, use your heads. What is 'Stitzel-Weller Cooperage?' Stitzel-Weller isn't a cooperage, it doesn't and didn't make barrels, so what is SW cooperage? Is it a barrel that was used to age Stitzel-Weller whiskey? Maybe, but you couldn't use that to age bourbon, because it would be a used barrel, so it can't mean that. "Stitzel-Weller cooperage filled with Bernheim whiskey" is an impossibility since the words 'Stitzel-Weller cooperage' are meaningless. There is no such thing.

I myself have thrown it up as a joke but I don't think I'm going to do that anymore, always too many newbies around. Why confuse them unnecessarily?

It was a stupid choice of words on Jefferson's part, but that's it. We know Jefferson's is wheated bourbon made at Stitzel-Weller.

Edited July 26, 2012 by cowdery