StraightBourbon influence is evident on new OGD BIB label

[Harry in WashDC]

On a couple of recent threads, some of us (like me who can't see in the dark) lamented the change of OGD bonded from an orange screwcap and mostly orange label to a black, plastic cork and redesigned, fancy label looking like the 80 proof label, at least to me.

WELL --

Today I happened to read the new label on the back of the bottle and compare it to the old BIB label. The new one now refers to:

"OGD[tm] Bonded Bourbon"

twice while the old bonded label spells out "Old Grand-Dad". Can we anticipate the use of SB abbreviations on labels for other bourbon and American whiskey products?

Be vigilant when awake, you all.

Oh!! And the new bonded label on the front has the legend "HIGH RYE MASH BILL" right under the "OLD Grand-Dad" logo while the old front and back labels were silent re: mashbill.

[Paddy]

Good catch Harry! I noticed the same thing yesterday (re the high rye mashbill part), while I was admiring the label change. I kinda like it...

[Harry in WashDC]

Funny you should mention that, your sort of liking it.  A bartender friend knows about my orange cap fetish but has advised me that her sales of OGD bonded have gone up, and she attributes it to the nicer label.  I, too, have to admit that it is not as cheesy as the old one, and that's not just due to less orange showing.

[ethangsmith]

Has anyone else noticed a change in the bourbon?

[flahute]

6 hours ago, ethangsmith said:

Has anyone else noticed a change in the bourbon?

I don't think anyone has. Are you saying that you are? Will be interesting if so.

[ethangsmith]

Yes. I had several bottles that I bought from two different PA state stores that have been nearly indistinguishable from standard Beam bourbon. I've only have one or two bottles that were the same as the old label and they were purchased outside PA. I'm hoping it was a bad batch that was sent to the PA state stores and once it's gone it will go back to normal.

[ethangsmith]

Also, for what it's worth, Beam has discontinued the 1.75L size of OGD in both the 80 and 100 proof.

[b1gcountry]

Really? I just saw one this weekend.

[Harry in WashDC]

OGD bonded is a regular for me (at least a couple times a week).  I have noticed no change.  And while JB bonded is relatively new, I do keep it around and am on (I think) the third bottle since release although about half of it went into cocktails.  I just did a side by side with JB bonded.  The JB had  slightly heavier wood smoke on the swallow, and OGD's finish had the characterisitc fruit/grass/whatever I like in it without heavy wood.  In short, I could tell they were different.  I didn't get an impartial observer - my wife - to try them.  She refuses to drink before Noon.  Silly woman.  More for me.

[ethangsmith]

The handles were just discontinued a few weeks ago, so there's still plenty to go around. The PA state stores have moved them all to closeout status already.

I have a feeling the bottles I got that taste like Beam bourbon were either just a bad batch or a fluke in bottling. Beam would have no incentive to change the mashbill or process for OGD since it's such a hot seller. And some of the flavor variations are probably related to the same reason the handles are going away- tight supply!

[Harry in WashDC]

I sure hope that was your issue - a bad batch.  Maybe a PA warehouse got overheated or somebody stored your batch on its side or something.  Did you eat some bad burritos (IhopeIhope)? REGARDLESS, I appreciate the notice about the discontinuance of the handles.  Often, that means sales on the big bottles.

[SebastianLloyd]

Being new to this site it's sometimes hard for me to understand all the abbreviated bourbon names. There should be a cheat sheet posted somewhere.

[Harry in WashDC]

DANG!!  Thanks, SebastianLloyd.  There is a "List of abbreviations" someplace on here.  I used to copy and paste it regularly, being a forgetful type person and also a bad typer.  SO, I just went looking and couldn't find it - used to be under "New to Straight Bourbon".  Keep checking back here; if I find it, I'll post here.

DEAR MODS - If somebody finds it before I do, maybe under that so-far unused "Q&A" Topic would be a good place, if not under "New to StraightBourbon".

 

[smokinjoe]

28 minutes ago, SebastianLloyd said:

Being new to this site it's sometimes hard for me to understand all the abbreviated bourbon names. There should be a cheat sheet posted somewhere.

I am working on updating , expanding, and keeping the abbreviation list up to date.  Hopefully, available soon.  Please stay tuned !

[Harry in WashDC]

Dear SebastianLloyd, et al,

I found a link to the old "Abbreviations" list in a carryover thread, but when I clicked on it, I got a nonsense screen.

You can try it yourself; maybe the internet has healed itself - it could happen:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/announcement.php?f=43&a=8

I also know that at least one human who spends entirely too much time on StraightBourbon.com volunteered recently to update and maintain an abbreviations list.  SEARCH for "Update" or "Abbreviations" and browse the search results for the discussion.  I betcha he's working on it right now.

In the meantime, locate some Old Grand-Dad Bonded and pour a little in a glass.  JB - Jim Beam - is also generally available.

[Harry in WashDC]

Joe -

I knew you were out there.  Thanks for stepping up.

Harry

[smokinjoe]

4 minutes ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Joe -

I knew you were out there.  Thanks for stepping up.

Harry

Lots of moving parts on the farm, right now! 

[Josh]

Well, Beam did reportedly change from ND yeast to Beam yeast so maybe that may account for the profile moving closer to JB.

[flahute]

11 minutes ago, Josh said:

Well, Beam did reportedly change from ND yeast to Beam yeast so maybe that may account for the profile moving closer to JB.

Whoa, whoa........what? I had not heard that. That's a blow if true because the yeast makes OGD what it is. Do you know for sure this is true?

[tanstaafl2]

3 hours ago, Josh said:

Well, Beam did reportedly change from ND yeast to Beam yeast so maybe that may account for the profile moving closer to JB.

 

3 hours ago, flahute said:

Whoa, whoa........what? I had not heard that. That's a blow if true because the yeast makes OGD what it is. Do you know for sure this is true?

Not only is it true I believe it has been true for a long time (years). OGD supposedly has its own yeast (at least according to Chuck in the comments) but it has not been the ND yeast from years ago for quite some time.  

There was a passing comment in this thread by BigRich that OGD now uses the same Beam yeast as everything else so maybe those bottles are just now hitting the market.

 

Personally I have no proof of anything. If I like it I drink it! If I don't I stop. If they have changed it and I don't like it anymore I suppose I will stop drinking it as well.

[flahute]

2 hours ago, tanstaafl2 said:

 

Not only is it true I believe it has been true for a long time (years). OGD supposedly has its own yeast (at least according to Chuck in the comments) but it has not been the ND yeast from years ago for quite some time.  

There was a passing comment in this thread by BigRich that OGD now uses the same Beam yeast as everything else so maybe those bottles are just now hitting the market.

 

Personally I have no proof of anything. If I like it I drink it! If I don't I stop. If they have changed it and I don't like it anymore I suppose I will stop drinking it as well.

Thanks for the clarification on the yeast. I wasn't focused on it being ND but rather that it was unique from the rest of the Beam lineup, but an important difference given the comment I was replying to.

[ethangsmith]

I've been trying to confirm a change in the yeast but haven't been able to get a straight answer from anyone yet.

[flahute]

We can put this rumor to rest. I checked in with a local Beam Suntory rep who got confirmation from the distillery that they are still using the OGD yeast.

[Paddy]

^^^^^^^^^^^If it ain't broke, and you have it (and they have it), why would you? ^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Josh]

14 hours ago, flahute said:

We can put this rumor to rest. I checked in with a local Beam Suntory rep who got confirmation from the distillery that they are still using the OGD yeast.

I don't think that means we can put it to rest. Local reps aren't reliable sources for much of anything. Confirmation from a higher up at Beam is what we need.