MGP Bottles a Bourbon

[mrviognier]

Did y'all see this COLA?

I imagine it's not a commercial offering; rather, a Christmas gift. Anyone know more?

[The Black Tot]

I wouldn't hunt this down or anything, but if I saw it on a shelf and it was $40 or less I'd definitely give it a whirl. $60 if that 80 proof is a placeholder and the actual release proofs higher.

It doesn't look like MGP is actually doing this- it's a KY DSP, and the company name is Distilled Spirits Epicenter, LLC.

This looks like an independent NDP doing a blend and just paying tribute (I'm certain with Mr Metze's approval) to the Almighty Zeuss of NDPs.

I have a sinking feeling that this will be priced above its value, but hope to be wrong for those interested.

[PaulO]

Too bad it's only 80 proof. At 90 to barrel proof, it could have been something real nice.

[mrviognier]

It doesn't look like MGP is actually doing this- it's a KY DSP, and the company name is Distilled Spirits Epicenter, LLC.

That's who bottled it for them. It's clearly a bottling for MGP.

[Harry in WashDC]

This does sound like a special release for MGP use in-house. Given the MGT/ORG/PERS changes at MGP over the last year or so, handing it out to employees to thank them for their support and to recognize that their implementation of the changes brought about positive results (for which outsider-stockholders like me are REALLY thankful), handing out the bottles sounds like corporate assets well-spent to me.

Uh, I'd like one, but all I did was "place a bet".:bowdown:

[The Black Tot]

That's who bottled it for them. It's clearly a bottling for MGP.

My point was, the thread title is "MGP Bottles a Bourbon". If someone else bottles it for them, they didn't bottle it, did they? At best, they paid someone to bottle one for them, and we don't yet even know for sure who it's for - we just know Metze's name is on it.

[VT Mike]

I see that it has three components, two contributing 20% each and one contributing 60%. I can't imagine that they'd dump part of a barrel for it, so it must be made up of a minimum of 5 barrels. That would have to be at least 1000 bottles, probably quite a bit more if it is being bottled at 80 proof, maybe 1500 bottles. I see a spot on the label for bottle numbers, so I doubt it would be too big of a run if those all have to be written in by hand.

[shoshani]

If it's 20% 2005 bourbon (21% rye), 20% 2005 bourbon (36% rye), and 60% 2008 bourbon (21% rye), is it legally straight whiskey or is it legally a blend of straight whiskeys?

[squire]

It's legally a straight. The component whiskys are stand alone straights made at the same distillery and while the use of different mashbills in the mix is uncommon, blending of different years together is practiced to some degree by all the majors.

[bllygthrd]

[h=1]MGP Supports Lawrenceburg Heritage With Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey ... http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mgp-supports-lawrenceburg-heritage-limited-202957090.html[/h]

"LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., Nov. 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP, a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and a main sponsor of the inaugural Whiskey City Festival in Lawrenceburg, Ind., is proud to announce the release of Metze's Medley. This limited edition Indiana straight bourbon whiskey has been produced in support of the festival that is being held this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8."

[Josh]

Not sure how putting "Medley" in the name is going to fly, but no word of any lawsuits yet.

[cowdery]

My blog post about this is here.

It's interesting that Distilled Spirits Epicenter bottled it for them, rather than their neighbor, Proximo. Very small run, most likely. Done for the Lawrenceburg festival this past weekend.

If all of the components are straight bourbon made in the same state, then it's straight bourbon.

[tanstaafl2]

This newest release of their own bourbon by MGP seems hard to figure. I think someone posted elsewhere hear about it but I couldn't find it.

Despite claims they don't want to compete with their sourced whiskey business (and given they are about the only sourced whiskey game in town I guess they won't do to much damage no matter what they do) and the fact this is a relatively small release I can't help but thing small NDPs would be a bit concerned that MGP might continue to expand future releases and if nothing else make the availability of sourced older whiskey that much tighter.

That and the fact that in his blog Fred says "But the company never shied away from the fact it wanted to start its own brands, and it released a 2014 Metze’s Medley Indiana straight bourbon whiskey sold only at Lawrenceburg’s inaugural Whiskey City Festival."

Can't see how that wouldn't make NDPs nervous. And can it be much better than what is already out there anyway? Old Scout already did a 10yo bottle of the low rye mashbill for less money than this one. Other than the fact that it is the first release of any size they have done (if that even means anything to anybody) I am not sure I can come up with a good reason to seek this out, especially at $75 a bottle!

[squire]

At that price with a limited run they seem to be aiming for the tip of the Bourbon pyramid which doesn't really hit their usual customer's products which rarely disclose sources anyway. Does speak to the efficacy of blending Straights though which I find quite interesting.

[tanstaafl2]

At that price with a limited run they seem to be aiming for the tip of the Bourbon pyramid which doesn't really hit their usual customer's products which rarely disclose sources anyway. Does speak to the efficacy of blending Straights though which I find quite interesting.

Not the first time that has been done with MGP whiskey of course. Belle Meade is supposedly a blend of at least 2 different MGP bourbons, including at least one high rye and one low rye although it is not known (to me) what the age or ratios are. The K&L Faultline bourbon was a very nice blend of straight bourbon done for them by Old Scout of 10yo low rye and 7yo high rye bourbon at 100 proof. Came in at a very reasonable $40 bucks as I recall (if I could only get it shipped directly to me).

[Spade]

This seems something like a Four Roses Small Batch... at 93 proof. How is that worth $75?

I'm sure it will get snapped up and can't blame MGP for getting in on the action.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Spade

[TunnelTiger]

93 proof? $75? Y'all enjoy.

[flahute]

^^^^This. I will also sit on the sidelines.

[Golzee]

I personally enjoy MGP bourbons. I don't really care what the story is on the bottle, or care if they are trying to deceive me (everybody is trying to deceive everybody). But, I won't pay for that deception...$75 is ignant.

[stickly]

I personally enjoy MGP bourbons. I don't really care what the story is on the bottle, or care if they are trying to deceive me (everybody is trying to deceive everybody). But, I won't pay for that deception...$75 is ignant.

Agreed, I enjoy the MGP stuff as well, but you can get older MGP juice at a higher proof for a lot less money (SAOS10 for one). Seems way overpriced to me given the proof and ages of the bourbon in the blend. Going to be a pass for me as well.