Old Fitz question

[Vosgar]

Has anyone ever seen an Old Fitzgerald bottle with a label like this? (other than the fact that it's an Italian market bottle). It shows Bottled in Bond, but also only 40% abv. Looking at other pictures of the bottle, there's no DSP-KY designation. The UPC # leads you to believe it's SW whiskey, but things just don't seem to add up. Am I missing something?

 

[Richnimrod]

Hmmmm.    Curiouser & curiouser.

[Special Reserve]

Bottled in bond has meaning in the US, how about Italy or wherever it is intended to retail?

[jvd99]

16 hours ago, Vosgar said:

It shows Bottled in Bond, but also only 40% abv. . . but things just don't seem to add up.

Yes, 40% does not add unto 50% 

[JTaylor]

16 hours ago, Vosgar said:

Has anyone ever seen an Old Fitzgerald bottle with a label like this? (other than the fact that it's an Italian market bottle). It shows Bottled in Bond, but also only 40% abv. Looking at other pictures of the bottle, there's no DSP-KY designation. The UPC # leads you to believe it's SW whiskey, but things just don't seem to add up. Am I missing something?

 

You're only missing the MOST IMPORTANT thing... How does it TASTE????

[Vosgar]

3 hours ago, JTaylor said:

You're only missing the MOST IMPORTANT thing... How does it TASTE????

I wish I owned this bottle to let you know! It's currently listed on an auction site and so far the high bid is $225. I emailed the auction company my questions/concerns and here's their response:

 

"It is a strange one.

I suspect that this is to do with Italian import regulations, but I'm not entirely sure.

When you give the bottle a shake, the liquid certainly behaves like a 50% ABV whiskey, i.e it "fizzes" up quite a bit more than a 40% spirit normally would do.

Sorry I can't be of more help."

 

 I realize I'm not an expert on all things whiskey, but this is the first time I've heard of the "shake test" in determining ABV 

When you give the bottle a shake, the liquid certainly behaves like a 50% ABV whiskey, i.e it "fizzes" up quite a bit more than a 40% spirit normally would do.

 

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Richnimrod]

Hmmm.    I once overheard a fellow who was on a distillery tour with several friends (I assume they were friends... they certainly knew each other) that also included little ole me, make a similar statement about determining an unopened bottle's approximate proof by shaking and observing the action of the distillate within the first few seconds afterward.    I had no idea what he was talking about, and frankly thought it was just hot air; but, maybe I'm missing something I ought to know.....?  

 

I just ran to the bunker and shook the hell out of an 86-proof unopened EWSB, and a RHF (100-pr).     I could detect no noticeable difference in what happened (or how long it took) after the shake.  

Anybody here ever have any definitive explanation, or experience with this method?

 

I anxiously await a proper education...... 

[Bourbonmakesmepoop]

Don’t know for sure myself, but I did read about the shake trick in whiskey advocate magazine this year. The whole summer edition was about spotting counterfeits and that was one way they check the bottles at those auction houses.

[Paddy]

^^^As far as I know, the 'bead test' only works for high proof, untaxed, corn liquor. 

 

As far as a 'shake test', I've never heard of her...but sure wouldn't mind seeing her in action! 

[DeepCover]

2 hours ago, Vosgar said:

I wish I owned this bottle to let you know! It's currently listed on an auction site and so far the high bid is $225. I emailed the auction company my questions/concerns and here's their response:

 

"It is a strange one.

I suspect that this is to do with Italian import regulations, but I'm not entirely sure.

When you give the bottle a shake, the liquid certainly behaves like a 50% ABV whiskey, i.e it "fizzes" up quite a bit more than a 40% spirit normally would do.

Sorry I can't be of more help."

 

 I realize I'm not an expert on all things whiskey, but this is the first time I've heard of the "shake test" in determining ABV 

When you give the bottle a shake, the liquid certainly behaves like a 50% ABV whiskey, i.e it "fizzes" up quite a bit more than a 40% spirit normally would do.

 

Sorry I can't be of more help.

The shake test is common among moonshiners, but I assume it has a limit, as moonshine is much higher proof. I'm not sure the shake test can differentiate between 80 and 100 proof.

[Vosgar]

The bottle ended up selling for $245 + 10% buyers fee. I hope whoever bought it knows what the story is (and stumbles across this thread and explains it to me!)

Edited January 14, 2018 by Vosgar

[CardsandBourbon]

Try emailing the auction company again and ask if they would pass your questions on to the buyer.  Worst that can happen is that they don't answer.