Old Blowhard

[sutton]

Just curious - why were they filling the ricks with different distilleries' distillate?

[luther.r]

Just curious - why were they filling the ricks with different distilleries' distillate?

The story I heard is that since quite a few distilleries were owned by ND at the time, they were "streamlining" by distilling at a few different places but barreling and aging at SW.

[sutton]

Interesting - thanks. Between the changes in ownership over the years and assumptions about NDP sourcing, it is tough to keep it all straight ...

[sku]

I wonder how Old Blowhard will compare to Jefferson's Presidential Select 26 yr. old. I've read that Old Blowhard may be a KY bourbon, but the label shown on the TTB COLA site is not that specific -- it just says bourbon whiskey bottled in Tullahoma. The label shown on the TTB COLA site for the JPS 26 yr. old shows Tennessee whiskey (sounds like Dickel, which is what I originally thought Old Blowhard may be). The age (26 yrs.) is the same on both and the proof (90.7 for Old Blowhard and 90.4 for JPS 26 yr. old.) is almost identical.

The label does say Kentucky Bourbon, though not "straight" interestingly enough.

https://www.ttbonline.gov/colasonline/viewColaDetails.do?action=publicFormDisplay&ttbid=13318001000318

[sutton]

So perhaps some time in used cooperage to keep it from going over the top on the oak? What else could it mean without the "straight"?

[sku]

So perhaps some time in used cooperage to keep it from going over the top on the oak? What else could it mean without the "straight"?

Used cooperage wouldn't be bourbon or would require a qualifier on the label.

Likely they just didn't think it necessary to list "straight" but I'm guessing it would qualify.

[squire]

Just curious - why were they filling the ricks with different distilleries' distillate?

Because they had the room.

[squire]

So perhaps some time in used cooperage to keep it from going over the top on the oak? What else could it mean without the "straight"?

It could also mean the mix contains some distillate from another State. Or they are just phasing out the term Straight.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Because they had the room.

A few distillers rent rickhouse space from diagio at the old SW plant.

[smknjoe]

Or they are just phasing out the term Straight.

That crossed my mind as well. I suppose the average consumer doesn't know what straight means anyway. Personally, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy seeing it on a label, or it could just be the booze.

[squire]

I think Kentucky Bourbon has World Wide recognition but don't know if Straight means enough to sway consumer choices.

[Underhilltab]

The label does say Kentucky Bourbon, though not "straight" interestingly enough.

Thanks for the correction Sku . . .and I enjoy reading your blog.

[zillah]

Sku beat me to it.

Edited January 29, 2014 by zillah

[sku]

Thanks Underhilltab!

The Whisky Advocate piece identifies the mashbill as follows:

All three Orphan Barrel bourbons have identical mashbills: 86% corn, 6% rye, and 8% barley. Whiskey geeks reading this will identify this as the formula from whiskey made at the Bernheim distilleries.

http://whiskyadvocate.com/whisky/2014/01/29/diageos-orphan-barrel-whiskey-project/

So it's not Stitzel-Weller, it's Old Charter.

[squire]

Bernheim came on line in 1992 so 27 year old whisky was made elsewhere.

[sku]

Bernheim came on line in 1992 so 27 year old whisky was made elsewhere.

[JohnHansell]

Bernheim came on line in 1992 so 27 year old whisky was made elsewhere.

[squire]

The link in the post right before mine? I actually went back through the whole thread to find it.

[tanstaafl2]

The link in the post right before mine? I actually went back through the whole thread to find it.

[danz]

Used cooperage wouldn't be bourbon or would require a qualifier on the label.

Likely they just didn't think it necessary to list "straight" but I'm guessing it would qualify.

By omitting the "straight" qualifier, could they be leaving open the possibility of using additives, sweeteners, coloring?

E.g. http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2011/08/whiskey-wednesday-bourbon-law-for.html

Edit:

Maybe no additives since the Beverage Alcohol Manual sku cites still indicates bourbon may not contain them.

Maybe leaving out "straight" may let them use bourbons from more than one state. See Chuck's post:

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2007/09/blending-scottish-influence.html

"By American law, any combination of straight whiskeys of the same type, made in the same state (why this is important I can’t explain), is still a straight whiskey of that type."

However, they are saying "Kentucky", so maybe it is just convenience?

Edited January 29, 2014 by danz

[Brisko]

He addresses that in the blog post. Bourbon (straight or not) can't have color or flavor added, at least without putting it on the label.

My guess is that they left it off because it's not en vogue, or maybe it wouldn't fit on the label.

One other thought I had, given theses whiskies' ages, was that they re-racked them at some point in new charred barrels. No idea what the TTB would do with that.

[Restaurant man]

He addresses that in the blog post. Bourbon (straight or not) can't have color or flavor added, at least without putting it on the label.

My guess is that they left it off because it's not en vogue, or maybe it wouldn't fit on the label.

One other thought I had, given theses whiskies' ages, was that they re-racked them at some point in new charred barrels. No idea what the TTB would do with that.

TTB would do Nothing. They wouldn't know. We rely on corporate integrity (sic). We all know the story about me and my uncle.

"I know my uncle, he's as honest as me,

And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be."

[sku]

One other thought I had, given theses whiskies' ages, was that they re-racked them at some point in new charred barrels. No idea what the TTB would do with that.

I don't think the TTB would care. There is nothing in the regs that says you can't rebarrel as long as it's from one new charred oak barrel to another.

[HighInTheMtns]

"I know my uncle, he's as honest as me,

And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be."

Love it.

padpadpadpad

[Dolph Lundgren]

He addresses that in the blog post. Bourbon (straight or not) can't have color or flavor added, at least without putting it on the label.

My guess is that they left it off because it's not en vogue, or maybe it wouldn't fit on the label.

One other thought I had, given theses whiskies' ages, was that they re-racked them at some point in new charred barrels. No idea what the TTB would do with that.