Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star now aged less than 4 years!

[TheNovaMan]

11 hours ago, PaulO said:

I noticed that Ten High now has "natural flavors" on the label.

 

They switched that from straight bourbon to "A Bourbon Blend" a few years ago, at least in MI.  Does it specifically say something about added flavors now?  So sad...

[PaulO]

Yes, I just saw a plastic 1.75L in a grocery store.  

[meadeweber]

On 5/12/2016 at 11:34 PM, amg said:

I bet they won't go below, say, 4 stars.

Well, 2 stars is already taken.

 

http://www.totalwine.com/spirits/bourbon/small-batch-bourbon/two-stars-bourbon/p/124771750

[GaryT]

Well, 10* has been one I've enjoyed - although I haven't bought one in a while (being blessed with an abundance of pours).  I'll take a closer look next time in the store, and if they have that NAS swill I may pick up a bottle.  But not going to bunker up or anything.  And I'll definitely skip the 5* if that comes to fruition.  

[Josh]

Not crying any tears over AAA, but it is annoying to see sub 4 year ASs even on bottles like this. And as someone asked, what's the difference between AAA and AA now? It also makes me wonder how low the ages on the SB editions of this mashbill are going to go. Last Hancock Res I bought was trash. How low will it or the others go before people start noticing?

[Kyjd75]

2 hours ago, Josh said:

Not crying any tears over AAA, but it is annoying to see sub 4 year ASs even on bottles like this. And as someone asked, what's the difference between AAA and AA now? It also makes me wonder how low the ages on the SB editions of this mashbill are going to go. Last Hancock Res I bought was trash. How low will it or the others go before people start noticing?

Good question, and definitely a worry for the future.  I'm a big RHF fan, and was fortunate to pick up a case of 6 a couple of months ago.  Of the bottles consumed so far, the quality seems to still be there.  But I am definitely concerned for the future of RHF, and even Blanton's if the aging of these SBs is compromised.

[squire]

At this point I don't think even Bourbon flavored Vodka would surprise me.

[Harry in WashDC]

57 minutes ago, squire said:

At this point I don't think even Bourbon flavored Vodka would surprise me.

Seagram's Seven anyone??????

[flahute]

1 hour ago, squire said:

At this point I don't think even Bourbon flavored Vodka would surprise me.

Do you mean this squire?

http://www.drinkspirits.com/vodka/review-oak-by-absolut-oak-flavored-vodka/

[starhopper]

...all this makes me suspicious that Buffalo Trace may be reducing time-in-barrel for it's other NAS brands as well (Blanton's, Buffalo Trace, etc)

Edited May 16, 2016 by starhopper

[Flyfish]

Sometimes I am inclined to lament the loss of WT 8 & 12, AAA10YO, VOB6YO, EC12, and ER10 that is still (for the time being) 10 but no longer SB. Then I'm consoled by the recollection that there are still quite a few NAS bourbons that are more than acceptable: OGD & 114, BT, OWA, Larceny, even NAS WT101. 

Yep. I can almost convince myself that it don't make no nevermind.

[starhopper]

5 minutes ago, Flyfish said:

Sometimes I am inclined to lament the loss of WT 8 & 12, AAA10YO, VOB6YO, EC12, and ER10 that is still (for the time being) 10 but no longer SB. Then I'm consoled by the recollection that there are still quite a few NAS bourbons that are more than acceptable: OGD & 114, BT, OWA, Larceny, even NAS WT101. 

Yep. I can almost convince myself that it don't make no nevermind.

...yeah, that's what they're HOPING we will do - become complacent

[Harry in WashDC]

14 hours ago, flahute said:

Do you mean this squire?

http://www.drinkspirits.com/vodka/review-oak-by-absolut-oak-flavored-vodka/

Thanks for that.  Interesting read. 

[starhopper]

Funny, I'm discovering that I like AAA10* (the version WITHOUT the 36 month age statement) more than I recall.  It is made from the same Buffalo Trace Mashbill #2 that results in Elmer T. Lee and Blanton's -  two of my favorites.  In fact, I'm actually enjoying AAA10* MORE than the recent ETLs I've had!  And, they're much cheaper!

 

Today, I found 5 bottles of the older AAA10* without the "Aged more than 36 months" neck label - at $12.99 ea, I decided to give them a new home.

 

Pretty damn good stuff for the price if you ask me.

Edited May 18, 2016 by starhopper

[Paddy]

^^^At $12.99 per bottle, you really can't mess up!^^^

[B.B. Babington]

On ‎5‎/‎16‎/‎2016 at 10:36 AM, starhopper said:

...yeah, that's what they're HOPING we will do - become complacent

or drown our sorrows in a bottle

[flahute]

5 hours ago, Three quarks said:

I wonder how the VOB 6 has fared. I haven't bought any of that since the changeover.

VOB 6 is still pretty good. (The BIB that is).

[Harry in WashDC]

On 5/21/2016 at 8:10 PM, Three quarks said:

. . . By the way, I wonder how the VOB 6 has fared. I haven't bought any of that since the changeover.

What Steve said.  I picked up a couple VOB "6" BIBs about three weeks ago and opened one instead of hitting the bunker for an older "6".  It is still fine as evidenced by the already empty bottle.  At least as far as I can tell.

[GeeTen]

1 hour ago, Harry in WashDC said:

What Steve said.  I picked up a couple VOB "6" BIBs about three weeks ago and opened one instead of hitting the bunker for an older "6".  It is still fine as evidenced by the already empty bottle.  At least as far as I can tell.

 

Way to go, Harry!    

[Flyfish]

On 5/22/2016 at 9:23 PM, Harry in WashDC said:

What Steve said.  I picked up a couple VOB "6" BIBs about three weeks ago and opened one instead of hitting the bunker for an older "6".  It is still fine as evidenced by the already empty bottle.  At least as far as I can tell.

That's my experience too. Never bought VOB expecting a "Great Bourbon" but as a regular daily pour the old 6YO was among my Big Three. There may be subtle differences now that it is NAS but it is still really easy to drink. As of tonight anyway. I console myself with the thought that OGD is not age stated yet it does just fine anyway. Likewise BT and any number of others that hit the flavor profile without the age statement. Can't say that I am excited about replacing AAA10YO with AAA3YO though.

[The Black Tot]

10yr was a stellar product - really love drinking this, and what bottles I have, through the magnificent assistance of a sb.com laureate, will be treasured until they are consumed with the appropriate respect!

 

Sounds like 10* has shit the bed. Maybe it will be back some day.