OWA 7 year Questions

[Grain Belt]

I have access to three bottles of OWA with the 7 year age statement from the Frankfort distillery at a local store for $22 each. I have a couple questions. When did the age statement come off? What is a good price for this bourbon? How does the newer NAS OWA compare?

Edited May 30, 2013 by Grain Belt

[squire]

The age statement was removed because the producers wanted to use younger whisky in the blend. Actually that can produce a better flavor profile, depending on one's taste preferences.

[HighInTheMtns]

Check on the date codes if you can. The older the better, although I'd buy 'em regardless. My opinion is that the first bottles of NAS were an improvement over the last bottles of 7 year; it would be interesting to compare a current bottle to see if that still holds. I believe the change happened in 2009.

[mosugoji64]

I think you're right, Jim, that the age statement dropped in '09. I buy all of the paper label Wellers I can find, but that's mostly because I love the old label. I've had some OWA 7yr that was indistinguishable from current bottles and some that was a different beast entirely. My suggestion is to buy it and give it a try. If you don't like it, I'll be happy to take it off your hands. :grin:

[suntour]

I have to agree that in my limited experience the newer NAS have been better.

I have a bottle open now that's delicious; a 7-year old I found back home in Indiana had that uncomfortably woody burnt-rope character I've found in some BT products (is this the signature flavor in Eagle Rare btw?)

[Meruck]

The age statement was removed because the producers wanted to use younger whisky in the blend. Actually that can produce a better flavor profile, depending on one's taste preferences.

Essentially what everyone here has stated is correct but in the end its a personal preference thing. The biggest attraction to the older bottlings is that you cant really get them any more.

I want to add to Squire's comment though. I would say that the distiller simply wanted the "option" to use the younger whiskeys. After all, theres a bourbon shortage you know.

[PaulO]

If I found 7 year old OWAs for $22, I would buy them. I don't necessarily think it would be better than the current version. I'm lucky to have a store about half an hour away that picks some good single barrels.

[Grain Belt]

Thanks for the insight gentleman. I think I will pick them up. Surely I have spent $66 bucks in worse ways.:cool:

[mosugoji64]

Thanks for the insight gentleman. I think I will pick them up. Surely I have spent $66 bucks in worse ways.:cool:

[Pirate762]

I passed up a few OWA 7yr a couple of years ago. I regret it every time i see the NAS version. YMMV

[skidfive]

picked up three today. $60 cash for all.

might have a weller night tomorrow, owa 7/107, weller 12, then WLW 12'.

[fishnbowljoe]

might have a weller night tomorrow, owa 7/107, weller 12, then WLW 12'.

Atta Boy Jonathan! A Weller night sounds mighty good. :yum:

Cheers! Joe

[PaulO]

Don't forget to do a side by side comparison between the 7 year and NAS too. Around here, there seemed to be a good amount of time between the disappearance of the old label and the new stuff hitting the shelves. Actually, towards the end of the old label. it was really hit or miss finding any OWA anywhere.

[bontrager]

Curious how OWA compares to the Special Reserve (since I have a bottle of the latter on my shelf)?

[smknjoe]

They are quite different. OWA is a more flavorful, more viscous, and has better finish. WSR is smooth, sweet, and easy drinkin'.

I had some OWA from 2005 last night and could tell a difference from the current NAS. It was slightly woodier (good for me), had a great vanilla nose (similar the S-W versions), and the flavor was richer. The appearance was noticeably darker as well. Good stuff.

[T Comp]

They are quite different. OWA is a more flavorful, more viscous, and has better finish. WSR is smooth, sweet, and easy drinkin'.

Short, concise and dead on Joe...even if you bring the OWA down to 90.

[bontrager]

They are quite different. OWA is a more flavorful, more viscous, and has better finish. WSR is smooth, sweet, and easy drinkin'.

I had some OWA from 2005 last night and could tell a difference from the current NAS. It was slightly woodier (good for me), had a great vanilla nose (similar the S-W versions), and the flavor was richer. The appearance was noticeably darker as well. Good stuff.

I also found the WSR to be easy drinking, sweet, but a little lighter, less complex for what I'm used to. Think I may head down to my local store and pick up a bottle of OWA. Plenty of it around here. Thanks.

[p_elliott]

Curious how OWA compares to the Special Reserve (since I have a bottle of the latter on my shelf)?

Even though they may taste a lot different they come out of the same barrels. They dump the barrels into a vat bring it down to 107 proof bottle what they want then bring the same vat down to 90 proof and bottle the rest. At least that what we were told by BT.

[PaulO]

Curious how OWA compares to the Special Reserve (since I have a bottle of the latter on my shelf)?

I have always heard that WSR is simply OWA with a little more water added to bring the proof down too. To me, OWA has a lot more taste, even when diluted a bit. I have several WSR 7 year olds bunkered, and have even left others sitting in the store recently. I love OWA, and W 12. There is nothing wrong with WSR. I just prefer the others much more.

[T Comp]

Even though they may taste a lot different they come out of the same barrels. They dump the barrels into a vat bring it down to 107 proof bottle what they want then bring the same vat down to 90 proof and bottle the rest. At least that what we were told by BT.

No doubt about that Paul but dilution by the distiller prior to bottling (with the WSR) or by yourself with the OWA does seem to have a perceptible difference. The excellent single malt blog, Whisky Science, had this to say on this phenomena at least as it applies to scotch and probably bourbon too:

"Dilution before bottling might have some dimishing effect on the sugars and some volatile off-notes such as glue and acetone, while probably increasing the proportional amount of linalool-oxides and bitter woody off-notes. Dilution in the glass, especially below 23% abv would release more of the hydrophobic aromas, such as esters with fruity, but also solventy and soapy off-notes."

[tylermke]

I have always heard that WSR is simply OWA with a little more water added to bring the proof down too. To me, OWA has a lot more taste, even when diluted a bit. I have several WSR 7 year olds bunkered, and have even left others sitting in the store recently. I love OWA, and W 12. There is nothing wrong with WSR. I just prefer the others much more.

I agree, the WSR is my least favorite of the 3 by a large margin. Just not complex enough and seems more astringent than the other expressions, at least to me.