New Packaging for Very Special Old Fitzgerald?

[Conquistador]

I was over at a friends house the other day, and he mentioned that he just picked up a couple bottles of VSOF. I noticed a couple of differences in the packaging/labeling. HH is using the same bottle and front and back labels, but they appear to have gotten rid of the neck ring label, and have switched to a black wax seal instead of the plastic shrink-wrap neck ring. Also, when I held the two bottles side-by-side, I can see that the bourbon in the wax-sealed bottle is slightly darker than in the neck ring bottle, although it doesn't show up as a strong difference in the photos.

Anyone have any background info on the new packaging, or on any significant changes in the bourbon itself? My friend isn't planning on getting into the wax-sealed bottle anytime soon. I've enjoyed VSOF in the past, but I'd like to see if any SBers have tried the wax-sealed version (or even if it is in wide distribution at this time), and if there is an appreciable difference in the flavor profile of the bourbon (good, bad, or no change) from the neck-ring version.

Thanks!

[Trey Manthey]

I think the bourbon looking darker might just be a side effect of the wax seal coming further down the neck of the bottle, therefore blocking more light from entering.

[Conquistador]

Good call. I did not think of that!

[jaycamm]

I'm starting to see the wax sealed version in the Boston area. We've never had VSOF in the Northeast. I wonder if they are also expanding distribution.

[RVTsteve]

I had a bottle of the VS neck label last year and found it a bit too sweet for my taste, full of the cherry syrup in chocolate covered cherries. I ended up using most of it for blending and mixing. don't see why the newer one's would be much different than other recent bottlings if the only change is the seal, if you liked it before you'll probably enjoy it still. From my research the BHC edition, with BHC on the neck label, is the one to keep an eye out for.