Classic Cask Bourbon 17yo

[Kpiz]

Hi everyone. I came across a bourbon I’ve never seen before, called "Classic Cask", which carries a 17 year age statement. First and foremost, has anyone tried it? If so, I’d really appreciate tasting notes or even just an opinion. I refrained from buying it, but am still entertaining the idea of going back for it.

I searched through SB and found a few threads (all closed) that contained some info about Classic Cask, but it seems to remain mostly a mystery. In addition to the age statement, the bottle I found states that it was bottled by “The Classic Cask Company†in Bardstown, KY, and it’s 90.8 proof. Besides that, there is very little information. To add to the mystery of this particular bottle, the slots on the front label for distillation/bottling dates and bottle #, were all blank. The bottle shape is very similar to that of Booker's. For those interested, here is a summary of information that I’ve gathered from other threads:

-This was likely distilled in 1985, bottled in 2002 (though there also appears to be a batch distilled in 1982, bottled 1999)

-There were 600 bottles of the 17 year old produced

-There were several other expressions bottled under the Classic Cask label:

-Bourbon: 13yo, 15yo, 18yo, 20yo

-Rye: 21yo, 22yo

-The 17yo bourbon (and perhaps the entire Classic Cask label) may have been the result of collaboration between Alan Shayne (President of Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America) and Even Kulsveen (Willett/KBD). However, it is likely that the juice was sourced and not produced by Willett (Cowdery dropped some knowledge on one of the threads that makes this nearly fact).

Any additional info or insight is appreciated. I realize that we can’t reveal the details of all NDP whiskeys, and that some mysteries will never be solved, but I figure it’s worth asking.

[Yeti]

I can't help you with your inquiries, but I can certainly herald the arrival of a bunch of people telling you to buy it. You may be getting some PM's as well.

Nice find.

[wadewood]

It's sourced whiskey from unknown source. KBD is likely the bottler but they only started distilling themselves a few years ago, so no way they made a 17 year old bourbon. At least it has age statement. I assume it's also labeled a Straight Bourbon? If it's not labeled Kentucky Straight Bourbon and just Straight Bourbon, then very high probability that MGP/LDI is the distilling source.

[Kpiz]

Nice find.

Thanks Yeti! No matter the source, sounds like this bottle is a winner.

[Kpiz]

I assume it's also labeled a Straight Bourbon? If it's not labeled Kentucky Straight Bourbon and just Straight Bourbon, then very high probability that MGP/LDI is the distilling source.

Great point, thank you. I think it was labeled Kentucky Straight Bourbon, but I'll have to check. That will at least narrow down the potential sources to 1 state.

[OscarV]

Yes, I've had the 14yo, it was very very good.

I would not hesitate to buy that 17yo.

[barturtle]

The 17yo Bourbon and the 15yo Rye were both reviewed in Issue 15 (June 2001) of Whisky Magazine by Michael and Jim. 7.75 and 8.5 for the bourbon, 8.0 from each for the rye.

[Smithford]

I have a bottle of The Classic Cask 20 years old (distilled in 1983) that I bought 7 or 8 years ago and has been bunkered away since then. At the time I picked it up I left a CC Rye on the shelf, a choice that I've been regretting ever since.

The research I've done on the label led me to conclude that my bottle most likely contains Heaven Hill bourbon, and yours may be the same. Pre-fire Bardstown Heaven Hill bourbon at 17 years old should (in theory) be pretty good.

Having repeated what I've learned, I'm going to shut up now, before someone comes along to tell me that I know nothing and it's none of my concern anyway. After all, I am a true novice.

Edited October 22, 2013 by Smithford

[Flyfish]

I have a bottle of The Classic Cask 20 years old (distilled in 1983) that I bought 7 or 8 years ago and has been bunkered away since then...I'm going to shut up now, before someone comes along to tell me that I know nothing and it's none of my concern anyway. After all, I am a true novice.

A "true novice" who had enough sense 7 or 8 years ago to buy the CC 20. Reminds me of my wife who habitually claimed she was "just a beginner" at flyfishing. Finally I told her, "After your first 1000 trout you are no longer elegible for amateur status."

Way to go, Smithford!

[Virus_Of_Life]

I'd personally like to commend you for the research you put into this! Well done and thank you for using the search function.

[squire]

This is not a mystery, it's a KBD brand probably sourced from Heaven Hill but may have been made by one of the other distillers. The one bottle I've had, also 17 years old, was over aged and excessively woody which completely covered up the usual Bourbon notes of vanilla and spice. It finished very bitter and hot but since the producer is KBD there's no telling if my bottle came from the same batch (or Distiller) as the one you're considering.

[Kpiz]

Thank you all for your input. In the end, curiosity overwhelmed me and I bought the bottle. Hopefully when I decide to crack it open, I have an experience better than squire did with his CC17. The positive reviews and info from you other folks helped sway me in the other direction. In case anyone is interested, I attached a few pics. A couple things I noticed upon further inspection:

-it is indeed labeled as being Kentucky juice, which is mentioned twice on the front and then really driven home with a "Distilled in Kentucky" on the back. So this could very well be pre-fire HH as smithford said

-the slots on the front aren't blank as I first reported, the writing is just so faded that it's barely visible. I believe it says batch # is GL-WA, distilled 1981, bottled 1998, bottle # 501/560.

Squire, do you happen to remember any specs (batch #, distill date, etc) of the bottle you had? It sounds like you don't have that info, but I just want to make sure.

[Kpiz]

I'd personally like to commend you for the research you put into this! Well done and thank you for using the search function.

Oh, and thanks Virus! There's so much info on this site, I'd hate to overlook the research that others have already done.

[Smithford]

The label is slightly different from the one I have. Yours looks to be an earlier bottling.

A few more pictures here:

http://www.whiskybase.com/distillery.php?merkid=311

[squire]

Sorry Kpiz, don't have that information but the one I was referring to was purchased in the mid 90s so it would've been a different batch.