Jefferson's Reserve Source

[dcam1075]

I have not been able to find a definitive answer on where Jefferson's sources their bourbon for Jefferson's Reserve. Is it known or documented anywhere exactly where they acquire their juice or is it unknown?

Thanks!

[whiskeyobsessive]

Almost certainly MGPI/LDI, most recently, though obviously subject to change. I think some even say "distilled in Indiana" on them. There was no secret about the single barrel bottle I bought from Astor being from LDI. I did not care for it much. Would rather have the more transparent, higher proof and age-stated Smooth Ambler Old Scout if I were looking to drink some LDI.

[smknjoe]

It possible that it's from several distilleries including HH, Beam, Barton, LDI, and BT. I have a feeling the source for their bourbon has changed several times depending on who had some to spare.

Edited June 30, 2014 by smknjoe

[T Comp]

The bottle I was recently gifted (isn't there some sort of saying about the best whiskey is...), says in all caps on the side label which can be peeled off easier than a city of Chicago vehicle sticker, DISTILLED IN INDIANA.

[BootsOnTheGround]

A swamp. Or swamps (to be more technical).

Trey has to be careful before Willie from Michter's beats him to it.

[smknjoe]

That's their CURRENT source, Thad. Let's see what it is in 6 months.

[squire]

I don't mind where they get it if it's priced accordingly but a fancy cork stoppered bottle doesn't change the contents.

[thebwood]

Haven't had the Reserve in a while, but I had their Rye the other day and I loved it. Assuming its LDI, I guess I really like LDI Rye.

[jmj_203]

Haven't had the Reserve in a while, but I had their Rye the other day and I loved it. Assuming its LDI, I guess I really like LDI Rye.

Well do you like Bulleit Rye and/or Dickel Rye? Not sure on the rough ages, but I enjoy Bulleit Rye every now and then. Though lately I've been more into making my bourbon's disappear, I'll always mix things up a few nights a week with a rye. Never had any Jeff rye. Shockingly I saw a Jeff Ocean on the Pa state site for about ten minutes yesterday, and even more surprising it sold almost instantly. I passed...can't imagine why.

[risenc]

Jeff Rye was coming from ADL, in Canada, but I understand that's no longer the case. Or is it? Unlike Masterson's and WhistlePig, Jefferson's has been pretty tight-lipped.

[squire]

At least they're not trying to pass it off as their own which would've been the story not so many years ago. Today the proof is out in the open and the list of candidates who make whisky with a 100% rye mashbill then sell it at ten years of age is pretty small.

Edited July 1, 2014 by squire

[jeffrey r]

Jeff Rye was coming from ADL, in Canada, but I understand that's no longer the case. Or is it? Unlike Masterson's and WhistlePig, Jefferson's has been pretty tight-lipped.

By most accounts, the Canadian Jeff rye is finito. I have one bottle of the Canadian Jeff rye, and likely won't buy the non-Canadian.

[Kyjd75]

According to the MGPI website they do not make a 100% rye mash ill whisky. Who else does besides Alberta Distillers?

[squire]

I can think of at least three Canadian distillerys that did or still do make 100% mashbill rye whisky but don't have the names at hand. Remember these were designed as whisky for blending and 10 years ago they weren't getting any special aging treatment to make them stand alone brands. Some were aged in new oak, some second or third fill, different warehouses and floors, some were distilled at a higher proof (over 160) some were made in pot stills and so on. This is not to say there was a lack of consistency, quite the opposite, they were made with definite profiles in mind for use in blends by folks with many years experience using proven formulas and techniques. Fortunately the supply of aged Canadian Rye is large enough to support different brands with very wide distribution.

[GerryM]

It possible that it's from several distilleries including HH, Beam, Barton, LDI, and BT. I have a feeling the source for their bourbon has changed several times depending on who had some to spare.

A bottle I saw o the shelf locally said the same thing.

[GerryM]

The bottle I was recently gifted (isn't there some sort of saying about the best whiskey is...), says in all caps on the side label which can be peeled off easier than a city of Chicago vehicle sticker, DISTILLED IN INDIANA.

Bottles I saw on the shelf locally said the same thing.

[tanstaafl2]

Jeff Bourbon has long indicated that they "marry" together bourbon from several different sources for the regular Jeff and Jeff Reserve bourbons. The website claims four different bourbons are used. I expect the source of these different bourbons is constantly changing of course.

And of course there was the grand lie that was the original Jeff Presidential Select Bourbon that was reported to be S-W wheated initially but then got a little help from an unknown rye bourbon source later in life. The source of the older (21, 25, 30yo) JPS bourbon and rye is anybody's guess.

The website also continues to claim the Jeff rye is 100% rye and not the 95% rye mashbill of MGPI fame.

How much of it is true is of course anyone's guess.

[cowdery]

Unless an NDP explicitly states the source of its whiskey, we don't know. The exceptions are 95% rye, which can only be MGP, and 'distilled in Indiana,' which can only be MGP. As for Jefferson's or WhistlePig getting a 100% rye product from someone other than ADL, I'll believe it when I see it.