More Age Statement Deception by Sazerac

[qman22]

I've never had Old Charter 8 year, but if you like it you should stock up now....

https://www.ttbonline.gov/colasonline/viewColaDetails.do?action=publicFormDisplay&ttbid=13353001000026

[theglobalguy]

Wow....that was fast. Less than a year from 10yr to 8yr to #8. Wonder if they're straight up diverting to standard BT or ER10 due to aged product not matching the OC profile?

[qman22]

I am more than ready for Sazerac to get bought by the Japanese. It is literally a race to the bottom with them with regards to quality.

[petrel800]

It's one thing to have supply issues and be honest. It's another to pull the years but keep the number on the bottle to give the perception of an aged product. It's getting hard to support this companies products, very hard.

[callmeox]

Its always been known as OC 8, so they are just keeping the brand identity.

Now, where did I place that sarcasm font?

[Brisko]

Somewhere I have a pdf of the Beverage Alcohol Manual (not on my phone though) and I thought there was language dealing with this sort of thing. You could say "Old number 8 brand" or the like but not just use an 8.

Maybe I'm wrong and/or TTB doesn't care.

Losing the age statement is bad enough but the fact that they are so shameless is disgusting.

/for the record I don't care for the "number 10 brand" type label either but it is a time-honored tradition, I guess.

[mbroo5880i]

Other brands have been doing it for years, they just figured out that they can do it too. Dickel is the most obvious example.

[squire]

They ought to call it New Charter.

[Alphanumeric]

Kudos for dredging this up. I'm going to have to think long and hard the next time I'm eyeing a Sazerac product in the store.

[BigRich]

Maybe we should start a thread on distilleries/companies that really let us down as consumers to go along with all the worst, most disappointing, etc. threads. I really respected and enjoyed Sazerac products ten years ago but now I'm almost scared to open a new thread with them or their brands in the title for fear of what will fall next.

[Brisko]

Other brands have been doing it for years, they just figured out that they can do it too. Dickel is the most obvious example.

Not exactly. "Superior No. 12 Brand" is not the same as just "12"

[weller_tex]

Not exactly. "Superior No. 12 Brand" is not the same as just "12"

I agree..Old No. 8 or whatever is a lot less deceiving than just "8"or "6". Weller 12 is the only Sazerac product I buy...one they stop making it I don't plan on buying any of their product.

[squire]

I will continue to buy any Sazerac product if I like it and the price is reasonable. I really don't care about age statements or single barrels but I do require a good product. And don't start sneaking in price increases until it climbs above it's bracket. Take price on Benchmark and I know where to find the door.

[squire]

Frankly, any number on the label other than correct age is deceiving.

[393foureyedfox]

It is literally a race to the bottom with them with regards to quality.

you can only rely on past name recognition for so long.

[TunnelTiger]

The next thing we'll see is something like a "20" neck label on Benchmark or Old Overholt

[393foureyedfox]

The next thing we'll see is something like a "20" neck label on Benchmark or Old Overholt

OO says aged 3 years on the back (or is it 36 months....its been a while since I had it), they didn't put a big 4 or some other number on it when it dropped to three years old. Not that it matters though, as it sucks regardless.

Dropping age statements is okay, I mean......it's their product, they can do as they please. Just dont be deceptive about it.

[tanstaafl2]

They ought to call it New Charter.

[mbroo5880i]

Not exactly. "Superior No. 12 Brand" is not the same as just "12"

I agree. You and I know that but some consumers see "8" or "12" and they think that is the age, especially when the "No. 12" is made to stand out. Whether intentional or not, large numbers on labels confuse people.

[Quantum]

I will continue to buy any Sazerac product if I like it and the price is reasonable. I really don't care about age statements or single barrels but I do require a good product. And don't start sneaking in price increases until it climbs above it's bracket. Take price on Benchmark and I know where to find the door.

What you are saying sounds dangerously close to a level headed, well thought out, rational approach to change. When I type in out in black and white that almost looks reasonable, but I feel like there should be more self-righteous indignation.

[squire]

"Young" Charter seems more appropriate!

Alright then, Charter Jr.

[White Dog]

Sazerac is really on a roll for being a d-bag, weasel of a company. Mark Brown, we're on to you.

[BigBoldBully]

And let's not forget they're even doing it with the smallest of brands--e.g., switching Fleischmann's rye from a "straight rye whiskey" to a "mash rye whiskey" all the while using such an overly elaborate cursive font that it is likely to escape most people's notice (not to mention, what the heck is a "mash rye whiskey"?).

[MyOldKyDram]

Thing is the largest majority of consumers will never notice these changes, and likely wouldn't even care if they did. So who can blame then, truly?

[Trey Manthey]

Frankly, any number on the label other than correct age is deceiving.

Four Roses has been fighting this battle for decades.