I.W. Harper Returns

[Enoch]

Well, as I posted someplace else ("what'd you buy today" thread a couple of days ago, I think), I did impulsively pick up a 750 of the 4yr 82 proof along with a Green Spot and the first WT101 Rye I've seen retail. After several sips of the IWH over that couple of days, I've learned yet again that I really have to control those impulses.:shithappens:

I was thinking the same thing when I got home and tasted it.

[amg]

Anybody who's tasted this have any guesses as to who they're sourcing it from?

[awachatz]

Anybody who's tasted this have any guesses as to who they're sourcing it from?

Isn't everything sourced coming from LDI these days? Joking of course.

[tanstaafl2]

When Chuck reported on it recently it was speculated that the NAS bottle could be sourced from several distilleries. I would think they would need Four Roses for Bulleit but Barton seems like a decent guess. But I haven't tried it (not that I am likely to be able to ID the source even if I did) and don't plan to try it unless it appears on the Gazebo table!

Might give the 15 yo, which is speculated to be New Bernheim like some of the orphans, a try but a lot depends on price and proof. I won't hold my breath that either will be reasonable...

[dcbt]

When Chuck reported on it recently i

Might give the 15 yo, which is speculated to be New Bernheim like some of the orphans, a try but a lot depends on price and proof. I won't hold my breath that either will be reasonable...

I think the 15 yr is 86 proof and msrp is 75ish. Enjoy!

[Harry in WashDC]

I was thinking the same thing when I got home and tasted it.

The sad thing is: I went in fully intending on picking up a handle of VOBBIB for about the same price as the IWH but decided to give the IWH a try.:cry:

[squire]

I know Harry, seemed like a good idea at the time.

[TunnelTiger]

Saw and passed on it @ $39 last Thursday too. I wouldn't by it if it was $13.99.

i used to love me some 4RYL but I just can't drink anything below 90 proof now.

[suntour]

Sure you can, like Chuck says, you've got to just take bigger sips to be able to taste it.

[flahute]

For once being in Washington State and getting everything last has a benefit. I'm benefiting from all of your negative reviews to know I shouldn't be tempted when it does finally show up.

[fricky]

I look forward to tasting the 15 year. Unfortunately, I have not found it yet. They did not have any at The Party Source in Bellvue or the Cork n Bottle in Covington. I am in Louisville and will search for it. Later in the week, I will be in Bardstown. If anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know.

[amg]

I still can't figure out why they didn't just label their bourbon "I.W. Bernheim". Is the surname "Harper" really that much more marketable?

Maybe in 1879 it was.

[Enoch]

I decided to open a 30 year old dusty of IWH last night and do a SBS and there was clearly no relationship between the two whatsoever.

[Josh]

I decided to open a 30 year old dusty of IWH last night and do a SBS and there was clearly no relationship between the two whatsoever.

That's probably a good thing. The Harper dusties I've had were dull.

Maybe in 1879 it was.

Agreed. The thought may have been that Bernheim sounded too "foreign". Harper sounds much more Anglo.

[garbanzobean]

The NAS version has hit Maryland, if anyone is looking.

[squire]

I still can't figure out why they didn't just label their bourbon "I.W. Bernheim". Is the surname "Harper" really that much more marketable?

After more than a century of use does it matter?

[flahute]

Chuck wrote about this on his blog while discussing the history of the brand. In 1879 when it was founded, I.W. Bernheim thought the thoroughly Anglo-Saxon name of Harper was a safer choice.

[fricky]

I decided to open a 30 year old dusty of IWH last night and do a SBS and there was clearly no relationship between the two whatsoever.

[jfw]

I tried both at WF Chicago. I thought the 15 year was good but not great. The NAS version was mediocre and certainly not worth the price IMHO.

[dcbt]

Question: how is Harper's15 different than Forged Oak (except in proof)?

Harpers 15 (per drinkhacker - http://www.drinkhacker.com/2015/03/30/review-i-w-harper-bourbon-and-15-year-old-bourbon/)

This “was distilled at the current Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Ky. and aged most recently at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. It is hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn.” The mash is 86% corn, 6% rye, and 8% barley.

Forged Oak (per bourbonblog - http://www.bourbonblog.com/blog/2015/01/28/forged-oak-bourbon-orphan-barrel/)

Forged Oak is a 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that was distilled at the New Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and found in the Stitzel-Weller warehouses. At 90.5 proof, the mash bill for Forged Oak is 86% corn, 8% barley and 6% rye.

[Josh]

I think you answered your own question.

[BourbonJoe]

I didn't pay $30.00 for 12 year Old Charter either so I'm not interested in paying 2 1/2 times more for a slightly older version repackaged as I.W. Harper.

I'd gladly pay 30 bucks for a 12 y/o Old Charter, if only I could find one.

[tanstaafl2]

Question: how is Harper's15 different than Forged Oak (except in proof)?

Harpers 15 (per drinkhacker - http://www.drinkhacker.com/2015/03/30/review-i-w-harper-bourbon-and-15-year-old-bourbon/)

This “was distilled at the current Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Ky. and aged most recently at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. It is hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn.†The mash is 86% corn, 6% rye, and 8% barley.

Forged Oak (per bourbonblog - http://www.bourbonblog.com/blog/2015/01/28/forged-oak-bourbon-orphan-barrel/)

Forged Oak is a 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that was distilled at the New Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and found in the Stitzel-Weller warehouses. At 90.5 proof, the mash bill for Forged Oak is 86% corn, 8% barley and 6% rye.

Different rickhouses and even rickhouse location and resulting barrel selection can certainly make some difference in the end product. For example B-F is creating several "new" expressions for Old Forrester, starting with the 1870 "Original Batch" by doing little more than picking different barrels from different rickhouses with supposedly a little difference in age and/or barrel entry proof. But it is the all the same mashbill. Little reason Diageo couldn't be doing much the same and end up with something different in each bottle.

That said I don't have much interest in getting the 15yo Harper. I was already underwhelmed by the Forged Oak.

Not that a lack of interest has ever stopped me before...

[dcbt]

Different rickhouses and even rickhouse location and resulting barrel selection can certainly make some difference in the end product.

That makes sense. Similar to Blantons-RHF at BT as well.

[The Black Tot]

That makes sense. Similar to Blantons-RHF at BT as well.

You mean Blanton's-RHF-ETL-Hancock's