The modern day use of bottled-in-bond statements

[tarheel]

As a relative noob, it seems to me that BIB bourbon is some of the best value product out there. My favorites so far include OGBIB and HH 6yr BIB. What I don't understand is why the term BIB is still used today? Is it for nostalgia? My understanding is that this originated to put the government seal of approval on whiskey in a time when you had no idea if you were drinking great stuff or motor oil. Surely those times are past us. Does the government still actually perform oversight on bonded whiskey? Thank you and may you all enjoy your bondeds as much as I do!

[Thig]

I am relatively new here also but I think today it really just means that it is 100 proof.

[Richnimrod]

Apparently many of the International owners of some of the brands we knew and loved as BIB's agree with you. Not nearly as many out there as there once were. BIB was a real selling point, denoting responsibility for; age of; and, derivation of the product and connoting quality in the mind of many purchasers back in the day. IMHO; since so much of the juice we now consume is such high quality, BIB carries rather less weight in the market than it once did. Also, having fairly stringent rules that must be adhered to, it narrows producers options... Same with age statements to a lesser, but still important degree. Just my opinion..... Here's another opinion: Many of the existing BIB's are still a great choice, and many are to be found in my shelves... They're a BARGAIN, and usually quite tasty!

[393foureyedfox]

I think they are a great way to even the playing field out and be able to therefore compare house styles. When they all have to play by the exact same rules, you get a really good idea of how one brand's profile compares against another, rather than trying NAS 94 proof this versus 100 proof that, versus 6 year old that.....

[sku]

As a relative noob, it seems to me that BIB bourbon is some of the best value product out there. My favorites so far include OGBIB and HH 6yr BIB. What I don't understand is why the term BIB is still used today? Is it for nostalgia? My understanding is that this originated to put the government seal of approval on whiskey in a time when you had no idea if you were drinking great stuff or motor oil. Surely those times are past us. Does the government still actually perform oversight on bonded whiskey? Thank you and may you all enjoy your bondeds as much as I do!

[amg]

Of course, you still have to be attentive, because like all of the TTB labeling requirements this one can make it through the approval process without being valid. What was that flavored, low-proof whiskey that showed up with "bottled in bond" on the label?

[mosugoji64]

With several new players getting into the whiskey game to make a fast buck on bourbon's new-found popularity, I think the BIB designation is as important as ever.

[tarheel]

Great points, especially with regards to the whiskey provenance. With BIB you know where it's coming from. I also appreciate the higher proof. With all of the importance many of us whiskey drinkers place on strength (e.g., MM situation last year) it's somewhat surprising to me that more people don't favor good BIB expressions. Talk about bang for the buck. Then again, it seems to me like most knowledgeable drinkers here do love many of these bondeds.

[squire]

Indeed the biggest opposition to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 were the established rectifiers (NDPs) who had grown large and wealthy buying bulk whisky from the distillers then creating brands of their own which were more often than not sometimes blending the whisky with grain neutral spirits and a little something added for color.

One of the strongest arguments in favor of the Act was the assurance that a BIB designation meant all the whisky in the bottle was genuine Bourbon made by a specific, identified distiller and not uncontrolled bulk stuff which is just as important today as it was then.

[Harry in WashDC]

For those of us not familiar with the history behind the term, I think it's worth a quick internet search for "bonded whisky" or "bottled-in-bond" to get some historical perspective on why it's still relevant. I know that a Mike Veach article pops up, and over the last couple years I've referred others to it (as well as to his book and Chuck's book and the old threads here). Also, check out the Filson Historical Society website (http://filsonhistorical.org) .

While revenue agents may no longer carry keys to the warehouses and physically count barrels going in and out, the regs do mean that the whisky in bottles carrying the term meets (or is supposed to meet) well-established requirements. As sku said, the BIBs are a good way for learning about house styles and comparing them since lots of tweaking, differences in proof, and other bells, whistles, and distractions are controlled if not eliminated.

In my case, I'd have missed OGDBIB and Henry McKenna 10yr, neither of which had I considered buying until after reading the two books I mentioned above. When I think about all those years I spent in the wilderness . . .

[squire]

Once was blind but now I see. I recommend we inaugurate the BIB cult with followers formally known as "bibs".

[TunnelTiger]

Count me in. Currently have OGD, RITT, and CETHR open on the bar.

[Phil T]

Count me in. Currently have OGD, RITT, and CETHR open on the bar.

Kind of funny how one takes things for granted. Right now I have HH white, VOB, McKenna, MC, Ritt open..never really thought about until your post TT, but I ALWAYS have these 5 open

[squire]

Five seems like about the right number.

[jonnyd]

Count me in on the club too. Bonds are a resonably priced way to get an idea of the house flavor. Well said Fox.

[PaulO]

Bonds more than anything else got me into bourbon. Back in the '90s I was making classic cocktails (old fashioned, manhattan, etc). Mixologists in the know say you need more than 80 proof whiskey to make a really good classic cocktail. I discovered if the bourbon is really good, you don't have to add anything. Anyway, bonds just blew JB & Jack away, no contest.

[squire]

No contest, Bonds vs Jack and Jim is like the Varsity scrimmaging with the jr. high kids.

[Harry in WashDC]

Count me among the converted.

Uh, do we get T-shirts with "BIBs" on them?

[Quick edit] My wife wears a bib in the car when we eat fast food. That's not the "BIB" you mean, is it, Squire? We are "of an age" you know.

[Redtide291020]

I happen to be sipping a Evan Williams BIB at the moment and all I can say is BIB's are as important today as they have ever been.

[flahute]

If I'm already in the Four Roses cult, can I be in this one too? I do have 5 BIB's open right now.

[smokinjoe]

It's a nice thought to think that a Bottled In Bond designation is as important today as it was way back when when the term was created. Like, it really means something important. But here's the million dollar question: Are you willing to Pay for the assurances that it gives you? BIB is cheap now, because it means nothing. In the new bourbon world, it sounds like many think it does/will. If it's so important, it should command a price, right? If I'm a producer, I'm up-charging for it. You in?

[theglobalguy]

It's a nice thought to think that a Bottled In Bond designation is as important today as it was way back when when the term was created. Like, it really means something important. But here's the million dollar question: Are you willing to Pay for the assurances that it gives you? BIB is cheap now, because it means nothing. In the new bourbon world, it sounds like many think it does/will. If it's so important, it should command a price, right? If I'm a producer, I'm up-charging for it. You in?

[squire]

Sure flahute,you've already got more than three open which is post neophyte stage.

[sutton]

If I felt it was being enforced and valid, sure. In today's age of branding above truth/compliance....not sure id trust anything outside of the major distillers.

Agree - given the label and some production inaccuracies noted on this board, I'll pay more for a Bond from the majors, or a Balcones, SA, McKenzie etc. - those that know what they are doing. I'll also pay more for major brands that qualify for BiB but they choose not to label it as such, but give enough information on the label where it is clear it could qualify (EWSB's, store-picked barrels from FRSB, etc).

[PaulO]

Will I pay more for a bond? I have, and will in the future. The distillers that produce bonds have lower proof NAS versions of the same mash bill. Those are usually not nearly as interesting to me.