Another proof change coming?

[Josh]

I received an interesting email last night and I thought it needed to be shared with all of you as soon as possible.

Josh,

I've been a follower of yours on Twitter and reader of Sipology for a while. I like your simple, straightforward style and how you don't feel the need to emulate the more successful blogs like Bourbon Blog or Sour Mash Manifesto. I really appreciated your work getting to the bottom of the Old Granddad proof change even though you noticed it months after it had already happened. That is why I am writing to you, with your help and the help of other online bourbon buffs maybe we can stop something similar from happening to another product.

I am a midlevel employee at Buffalo Trace and I have been privy to some discussions that I found upsetting. A decision has been made by the folks at Sazerac to lower the proof of Old Weller Antique from 107 to 90. It will continue to be labeled "Original 107 Brand" for the time being, but that will eventually be dropped too. The price will remain the same or possibly go up.

I voiced my opposition to this and let them know that enthusiasts will be very unhappy with this change and that they will not be willing to pay the same price for a lower proof product. The response I got was "Somebody will pay it. Somebody always pays it." I have contacted you hoping that you can spread the word about this and stop it before it happens. So please post this wherever you can and spread the word about this.

Sincerely,

<Name Withheld>

So I'm spreading the word. To your keyboards OWA lovers!

[MyOldKyDram]

Oh HELL no.

A bunkering I will go.

[squire]

So Special Reserve is to be relabeled as 'Original 107 Brand' for all the 'somebodys' who will pay.

[callmeox]

Sharpen the pitchforks and soak the torches.

[MyOldKyDram]

This is April Fools Day, come to think of it.

[BradleyC]

This is April Fools Day, come to think of it.

That's what I was thinking.

[callmeox]

This is April Fools Day, come to think of it.

Another year, another good one ruined by someone who couldn't play along.

Happens every year. Shameful, really.

[Josh]

No, it couldn't have been a joke. I received the email yesterday.

[MyOldKyDram]

Well pardon me for existing.

[BradleyC]

Another year, another good one ruined by someone who couldn't play along.

Happens every year. Shameful, really.

You could just delete our posts and let it run. I doubt too many people have seen it yet. That would make it less shameful maybe.

[squire]

Party pooper, I was ready to toss more gas on this fire.

[BradleyC]

That's what happens when I type before the morning coffee (no Barton) has kicked in.

[thiemb]

The giveaway was the backhanded compliment of his blog. Well done.

[Tucker]

Any other day of the year, this post would have given me a freakin' heart attack.

[squire]

Stay tuned folks, same time next year.

[Richnimrod]

Ha-Ha!!! I almost drove right out to bunker a couple (more) bottles of this fine juice; not that it would be such a bad thing. However, I'm currently trying to round up all the loose change from my car-seats, sofas and chairs so I can seek another bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof; so, this would've been a tough decision.

[GaryT]

Before I even read the original post, I had my April Fools glasses on - prepared to be skeptical

[Josh]

No it couldn't have been a joke. I got the email yesterday.

[squire]

Josh how can you type with crossed fingers?

[OscarV]

I would like to say that this news is unbeilvable but I can't, it just doesn't surprise me.

First of all the only reason I buy OWA 107 is for the 107 because the age is sinfully low for a wheater.

Weller 12yo is the right age but they water it down to blandness,...so now they want OWA to be both bland and young I assume.

Edited April 1, 2013 by OscarV
2 korrect speelin

[BAO]

So, joke or not?

[Alden]

Well, I vote NOT!

[squire]

I remain firmly astride the fence.

[CoMobourbon]

Yeah, I knew as soon as I saw the "somebody will pay it; somebody always pays it" mantra. I honestly didn't even think about the date!

*...but the whole weirdly self-aware references to Sipology threw me a little too.

[BigBoldBully]

I especially like how you threw in those left-handed compliments! (more successful . . . even though . . .)