Willett 21 yr.... How did it make it's journey?

[Low West]

So I came accross a bottle of Willett 21 yr at my local shop a few weeks ago. It's from barrel #3687, and 11 of 117. I don't normally drink Willett, so I took a shot in the dark and I jumped on it as I had never seen it anywhere before. When I got home, I checked out the label in further detail, and on the back was an extra sticker added that is was "Exclusively bottled for The Party Source." As I understand it, the Party Source is a large retailer back east. Can someone explain to me, how this bottle ended up in the hands of a West Coast Liquor Store, if it was bottled "exlusively" for an East Coast retailer? I mean, wouldn't it then be solely in the posession of The Party Source to sell it? Did The Party Source, after having it bottled for them, sell it back to a Wholesaler? It just seems odd to me.

In addition, I would appreciate it if anyone has any additional knowlege, history, etc. on what exactlly I have in my posession. And yes, I know I have some good Whiskey but anything else that I should know about this bottling?

Cheers and Happy New Year to the entire SB community!

Low West

[callmeox]

The "how did it get here?" question is best answered by your retailer, not SB.

[HighInTheMtns]

Can't tell you how it got to a retailer besides TPS but... Willett is a product of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. KBD buys bulk whiskey from anyone who will sell it to them. They use it for all their labels, one of which is Willett. When a retailer wants to do a Willett bottling, KBD makes barrels available for them to taste and they choose the one they want.

KBD does not disclose the distiller of any of their juice and so it is essentially impossible for you to know for sure the provenance of the whiskey in that bottle.

Edit: Pure speculation, but wasn't San Diego the place where someone was recently trying to trade bottles to retailers?

Edited December 31, 2012 by HighInTheMtns

[Low West]

Thanks! I did ask my retailer that very question. The only thing they said, was that it was offered to them by their distributor amongst various other Willett offerings, and they bought the whole lot.

If that's the case, then I guess I'm more looking for anyone's theory/speculation on how it came about, and of course what makes this particular bottleing so special, if at all.

[HP12]

You could email whiskey manager Jay Erisman at TPS and ask him for some insights. TPS is usually pretty responsive.

[smokinjoe]

That is pretty goofy! Along the same lines, a retailer here in Atlanta had bottles of the "Liquor Barn" (another Kentucky liquor retailer) Private Barrel Selection of Hancock's Presidents Reserve bourbon. Go figure. :confused:

My guess would be that they didn't sell, and the distributor took them back to move elsewhere. I would guess that the Willett distributor in your neck of the woods is the same as the distributor of Willett in KY?

[Low West]

Edit: Pure speculation, but wasn't San Diego the place where someone was recently trying to trade bottles to retailers?

I think you are referring to this thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?18847-Hypothetical-PVW-23-trade&highlight=pappy+trade

I didn't see anywhere discussing Willett 21 yr, only VW and JPS. Hopefully that's not the case, but if it is, then I would love to cut out the middle man next time!

[HighInTheMtns]

I think you are referring to this thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?18847-Hypothetical-PVW-23-trade&highlight=pappy+trade

I didn't see anywhere discussing Willett 21 yr, only VW and JPS. Hopefully that's not the case, but if it is, then I would love to cut out the middle man next time!

That's the one. Not everything that happens is discussed on SB.com... However as I said before, this is pure speculation based on a coincidence of location and nothing more. It was more for laughs than to offer a real explanation.

I think Joe's explanation is most likely, and keep in mind that even though the sticker says selected by TPS, KBD did not sell the bourbon to TPS. They sold it to a distributor and then the distributor sold it to TPS. Perhaps the distributor and TPS just agreed to split the barrel and put TPS stickers on it. TPS is a recognizable name in the bourbon community, and people who see the bottles may be more likely to buy them because of the name.

Edited December 31, 2012 by HighInTheMtns

[Low West]

You could email whiskey manager Jay Erisman at TPS and ask him for some insights. TPS is usually pretty responsive.

Thanks! Great idea! I will reach out to him.

That is pretty goofy! Along the same lines, a retailer here in Atlanta had bottles of the "Liquor Barn" (another Kentucky liquor retailer) Private Barrel Selection of Hancock's Presidents Reserve bourbon. Go figure. :confused:

My guess would be that they didn't sell, and the distributor took them back to move elsewhere. I would guess that the Willett distributor in your neck of the woods is the same as the distributor of Willett in KY?

This makes totaly sense to me. I didn't realize that they could sell it back. I always thought that once a store bought a bottle of whatever, they were stuck with it.

[smokinjoe]

Could TPS be savvy and brilliant enough to direct Private Selection product to out-of-state locations to create store-brand recognition, and thusly increase internet sales?

Yeah, just throwin' sh!$ around...

[T Comp]

I have found bottles in stores here in Cook County (not in a while though) that were meant for export including WT, Blantons and a few others. Also a couple of cherished ones that had obviously taken a few extra steps around the normal distribution path. Around here you don't ask too many questions or look a gift horse in the mouth :grin:.

[squire]

Yeah, the Chicago way.

[White Dog]

That is pretty goofy! Along the same lines, a retailer here in Atlanta had bottles of the "Liquor Barn" (another Kentucky liquor retailer) Private Barrel Selection of Hancock's Presidents Reserve bourbon. Go figure. :confused:

My guess would be that they didn't sell, and the distributor took them back to move elsewhere. I would guess that the Willett distributor in your neck of the woods is the same as the distributor of Willett in KY?

Pacific Edge distributes KBD in California, but they don't operate in Kentucky. My guess is that KBD put the wrong stickers on it, and by the time it got to Pacific Edge, it was too late and they sold it as is. (This has happened before.)

[sailor22]

Interesting to speculate on how it got there but we will probably never know for sure. There is, or was, plenty of excess stock moved around between retailers and distributors.

I have run across Bourbon with Alabama tax stamps on the shelf in Ga., bought a bottle of Old Rip 105 proof off the shelf in Tennessee, and that was a Japan only bottling. Found some rye that is supposed to be exclusive to a particular bar in Louisville on the shelf of a small retailer. Ya' never know.

Here is hoping that the bottle you found contains great juice!! Given that it was selected by Jay at PS it probably is above average for sure.

[Gillman]

My question would have been, did the original Willett's distill it? Willett's was distilling through the 80's and possibly as late as '91, but I don't think the end year for distillation has ever been stated (with any certainty).

Gary

[Restaurant man]

Things get mixed up in warehouses all the time. I've gotten shipments incorrectly in all kind of different ways. Wrong pick label, mixed up boxes, etc. once toured a distributors warehouse and they had wines from the 70's that they didn't know they had. Come to think of it, could be the next frontier of dusty hunting :cool:

[Gillman]

KB, any Chateau Mayacamus there by any chance?

Gary

[Restaurant man]

1979 clos du Val zin was the oldest bottle. This was about ten years ago so the rest is a little fuzzy

[Low West]

So it looks as if the mystery is solved. Jay at TPS was great, and full of information on just exactly what I had in my possesion. Thanks to HP12 for pointing me in the right direction. According to Jay, this bottle must have gotten mixed up at KBD, and was sent out West by mistake. Not the first time it's happened to them, and probably won't be the last. Translation = I got really lucky! He was also kind enough to give me some history, and tasting notes on this particular barrel selection. Apparently, I shouldn't be making Manhattan's with it... I sure wished I lived closer, as the store sounds really great.

So if any of you want to swing by, and taste a "mistake" just let me know.

[Gillman]

I'll take that Zin at 20+ years if well-stored!

Gary

[HP12]

So it looks as if the mystery is solved. Jay at TPS was great, and full of information on just exactly what I had in my possesion. Thanks to HP12 for pointing me in the right direction. According to Jay, this bottle must have gotten mixed up at KBD, and was sent out West by mistake. Not the first time it's happened to them, and probably won't be the last. Translation = I got really lucky! He was also kind enough to give me some history, and tasting notes on this particular barrel selection. Apparently, I shouldn't be making Manhattan's with it... I sure wished I lived closer, as the store sounds really great.

So if any of you want to swing by, and taste a "mistake" just let me know.

Good to hear the mystery has been solved. Nice story to have while sippin' that special bottle. Ain't Jay and TPS great?! Enjoy and thanks for reporting back. As yes, KBD has been known to have issues, but they sure get hold of some great whisket when they get the distribution right!

[Ejmharris]

So it looks as if the mystery is solved. Jay at TPS was great, and full of information on just exactly what I had in my possesion. Thanks to HP12 for pointing me in the right direction. According to Jay, this bottle must have gotten mixed up at KBD, and was sent out West by mistake. Not the first time it's happened to them, and probably won't be the last. Translation = I got really lucky! He was also kind enough to give me some history, and tasting notes on this particular barrel selection. Apparently, I shouldn't be making Manhattan's with it... I sure wished I lived closer, as the store sounds really great.

So if any of you want to swing by, and taste a "mistake" just let me know.

Living less than 10 minutes away every interaction with Jay at the store has been the same positive experience. Any time someone asks a question in The whiskey aisle they call for Jay and he comes strolling in. You can tell he is always busy but always take the time to answer questions.

Mike

[bourbonandbacon]

for what its worth, i am able to order tps online, and find they have pretty reasonable rates shipping. its nice especially given their variety compared to what is local for me. you should check their website to see if they will ship to you in cali