private label snobbery?

[wyllisx1]

Second attempt at this, too slow a typist so this will be a lot shorter a post this time.

Is it wrong to feel cheated when buying a premium pour to have it be a "private label" MGP pour?

I do enjoy a couple of them but feel like they're over priced compared to "branded" pours.

[Harry in WashDC]

Greetings, whyllisx1, and welcome. In order, here are my thoughts (at least the ones related to your three comments - my other thoughts just flit around on their own).

Is ok to be slow. Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare.

Metaphysically, "wrong" is what you make it. Humanly, "wrong" is when you say, "Ah, poop." Only you can tell us what you said. I can read minds of people close to me, but I have no idea where you are. FWIW, I bought common stock of MGPI years ago (when it was 'in extremis' after I determined that some of the bourbons I was drinking were rebottled distillate it had sold in bulk to others but I REALLY liked what I was drinking. Hence, I feel no guilt whenever I drink repackaged MGPI distillate: I win either way -- I like the bottle AND my company profits. WIN WIN. How does that make you feel?

Even repackaged MGPI distillate is sold under a "brand". If you enjoy it but believe it is overpriced, don''t buy it. Then, per your statement two, you avoid feeling cheated. QED.

[wyllisx1]

Second time tonight getting bounced for being a slow typist :hot:.

Good for you on the MGPI investment (took a few hits last week myself in the market).

I'm not apposed to the MGPI juice but would like to have labels identify the source of the juice. I do enjoy Bulleit and find it to not be overly priced but do feel that the label and or back story is misleading.

I suppose my preference in theory is actual producers selling their own product not private label marketing puffery.

[Harry in WashDC]

Yeah, this is a recurring problem - lack of "Distilled by/at . . ." on NDP bottles except maybe in laser code. There are some pretty good threads here recently discussing this. Here are a couple --

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?23595-How-do-we-tell-what-is-NDP-crap&highlight=MGPI

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?22951-5-36-(d)-compliance-the-good-guys&highlight=labels

[smokinjoe]

Second time tonight getting bounced for being a slow typist :hot:.

When you sign on to the site, be sure to check the "Remember Me" box. I'm guessing that's the problem with you getting bumped.

[wyllisx1]

Been reading them Harry, guess I should have started with them.

BTW MGPI can be a nice trader, granted there are some liquidity (pun not intended) issues with it.

[Richnimrod]

My advice (and this is strictly my own opinion) is not to obsess too much about crap over which you have no control (truth/accuracy in labeling). The one thing you do control, in the Bourbon decision-making equation, is whether or not to open your wallet. Personally I know of several brands who sell Bourbon which they did not distill; but which I will often take a chance upon. Those include; Old Scout (Smooth Ambler), Willett's several brands, & Ezra B (12-year Single Barrel). These are based upon my own experience. I've also had less-than-satisfying experiences with a dozen or more other NDP (Non-Distiller Producer) brands which I won't name here; but will say many/most are 'craft-distiller' or 'start up' brands. Be your own best arbiter of quality, and vote for the ones you really do enjoy (with your wallet), whether or not they distill the juice in the bottle.

[TunnelTiger]

My advice (and this is strictly my own opinion) is not to obsess too much about crap over which you have no control (truth/accuracy in labeling). The one thing you do control, in the Bourbon decision-making equation, is whether or not to open your wallet. Personally I know of several brands who sell Bourbon which they did not distill; but which I will often take a chance upon. Those include; Old Scout (Smooth Ambler), Willett's several brands, & Ezra B (12-year Single Barrel). These are based upon my own experience. I've also had less-than-satisfying experiences with a dozen or more other NDP (Non-Distiller Producer) brands which I won't name here; but will say many/most are 'craft-distiller' or 'start up' brands. Be your own best arbiter of quality, and vote for the ones you really do enjoy (with your wallet), whether or not they distill the juice in the bottle.

[GaryT]

My advice (and this is strictly my own opinion) is not to obsess too much about crap over which you have no control (truth/accuracy in labeling). The one thing you do control, in the Bourbon decision-making equation, is whether or not to open your wallet. Personally I know of several brands who sell Bourbon which they did not distill; but which I will often take a chance upon. Those include; Old Scout (Smooth Ambler), Willett's several brands, & Ezra B (12-year Single Barrel). These are based upon my own experience. I've also had less-than-satisfying experiences with a dozen or more other NDP (Non-Distiller Producer) brands which I won't name here; but will say many/most are 'craft-distiller' or 'start up' brands. Be your own best arbiter of quality, and vote for the ones you really do enjoy (with your wallet), whether or not they distill the juice in the bottle.

What he said I will take a chance on others if I've heard positive things from folks where I know our tastes have lined up in the past, but otherwise - if I haven't had a chance to try first, I'll hold off buying the "new stuff".