Orphan Barrel Lost Prophet

[DBM]

It's unfortunate that so much negative press has been voiced about a consumable product that, for most involved, has not been consumed yet to form a meaningful opinion.

I appreciate Chuck, John and others filling in the massive void of information about the provenance of Lost Prophet. And if it's a good bourbon I also appreciate Diageo for bottling and releasing it, regardless of the presentation.

I accept Orphan Barrel as a marketing strategy that any smart business would create to build a new brand. At least the name clearly suggests that the labels, and contents, are going to vary as "orphan barrels" are "found". That's more than can be said for other labels of intentionally vague origins (Jefferson's, BMH, Whistlepig to name a few).

[The Black Tot]

Still waiting with bated breath for the release. Very keen to read comments.

[ModernThirst]

Tried it last night along with Forged Oak at a preview dinner at Stitzel-Weller. It's better than the previous releases...oaky, but a young oak, rather than wet rope, like blowhard. Not great, but good. Forged Oak might be better. I need to try it again. Much more caramel and barrel char.

[The Black Tot]

Thanks Bill. Did they mention when they were hitting the streets?

[ModernThirst]

Lost Prophet is shipping today (to distributors, I believe). No word on forged Oak.

[ModernThirst]

Lost Prophet is shipping today (to distributors, I believe). No word on forged Oak.

[ModernThirst]

Actualy, Ewan Morgan said locals might see it on SHELVES today, but I think he meant in the Louisville area. Other areas should see it within a week or so. I wrote a longer recap on our site with better tasting notes. In a nutshell, Forged Oak reminds me of Heaven Hill/Evan Williams with caramelized brown sugar and strong charred oak. If you like HH products, you'll probably like FO.

Lost Prophet has a dry, new oak sensation on the tongue. Mike Veach said it best last night: "I liked it but didn't love the flavor-until I got to the Finish." The Finish was excellent. Dry finish with a lot of spice.

Edited December 3, 2014 by ModernThirst

[amg]

Did they mention what MSRP for Forged Oak would be?

[zillah]

Also, what juice is the Forged Oak? Still George T. Stagg?

[amg]

Also, what juice is the Forged Oak? Still George T. Stagg?

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Actualy, Ewan Morgan said locals might see it on SHELVES today, but I think he meant in the Louisville area. Other areas should see it within a week or so. I wrote a longer recap on our site with better tasting notes. In a nutshell, Forged Oak reminds me of Heaven Hill/Evan Williams with caramelized brown sugar and strong charred oak. If you like HH products, you'll probably like FO.

Lost Prophet has a dry, new oak sensation on the tongue. Mike Veach said it best last night: "I liked it but didn't love the flavor-until I got to the Finish." The Finish was excellent. Dry finish with a lot of spice.

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Not in stock with SWS in KY as of today.

[ModernThirst]

No word on price for forged oak. It IS new bernheim.

[zillah]

No word on price for forged oak. It IS new bernheim.

New Bernheim implies that it is different than the Bernheim juice of Barterhouse and Blowhard?

[amg]

New Bernheim implies that it is different than the Bernheim juice of Barterhouse and Blowhard?

Barterhouse was new Bernheim. Blowhard was old Bernheim.

[zillah]

Barterhouse was new Bernheim. Blowhard was old Bernheim.

Ahah. Thanks for clarifying that. I am looking forward to the 15 as well if it is reasonably priced, just for the sake of trying it.

[The Black Tot]

They seem to calculate the pricing based on years of age. If this is true, Forged Oak should come out below Barterhouse in pricing. Maybe $60? If they charge as much as Barterhouse, it had better be something special, is all I'm saying. Barterhouse is still sitting on shelves.

[danz]

Or stacked 5 cases high in some stores. Just saying.

[garbanzobean]

In a few years, people are going to be "dusty hunting" for these. And posting lots of pics on FB asking for help identifying their rare finds. Not saying the whiskey is good or bad, just that it will be really annoying.

[squire]

That's when we'll also start hearing comparisons between New and Old Bernheim from those who can't tell Pappy from Old Crow.

[B.B. Babington]

That's when we'll also start hearing comparisons between New and Old Bernheim from those who can't tell Pappy from Old Crow.

[cowdery]

I thought Lost Prophet was already in the market. I got a sample of it. I know I can't credibly comment on it because I've been so critical of Diageo for the whole project. I've also stayed away from the whole Orphan Barrel series as whiskeys because I'm generally not a fan of anything older than 15-years-old. I respect that other people like the very olds, I just don't. There are exceptions, but most very olds are too tannic and sooty for me

And that's my review of Lost Prophet. Tannic and sooty, and not much else. It starts strong but thins out fast, ending with an almost watery finish. No sweetness. It's what I imagine vodka would taste like after 22 years in wood.

But John Hansell loves it and I respect his opinion, so I assume it's just me. Your results may vary.

Hansell also reports that the mashbill is 75-78% corn, 7-10% malt, and 15% rye -- the Age International (i.e., Blanton's) mashbill. I'd love to know the distillation proof. I suspect it was right at the 160 proof legal ceiling.

I also received a sample of the new Old Forester 1870 Original Batch from Brown-Forman. Better, but still challenging. Very flavorful, big bodied and mouth-filling. Big dark molasses note, so that combination of bitter and sweet, with a faint touch of blueberry. I can imagine this being what Old Forester tasted like in 1870 but we shouldn't think of it as an attempt to replicate a historical style. It's more a homage to Brown's batching technique. Just geeky enough to be interesting.

So I enjoyed the Forester more than the Prophet, but I still needed to pour some Weller 12 to recalibrate the sensors.

Edited December 12, 2014 by cowdery

[Renegator]

Oh to be able to find some Weller 12...

[The Black Tot]

You see? There it is. I have W12 on the bar, but don't get the big deal about it. I much prefer OWA.

That's why they offer lots of topping choices on pizza, too...

I'm surprised nobody's seen this on the shelf yet.

[Paddy]

I talked to an owner yesterday who expects his order to arrive next week.

[TunnelTiger]

Haven't seen it yet and my dealers don't know when or if they will. All three of earlier Orphan bottles are now gone from the shelves.