Jay Vee 1977 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

[nhtn12]

I recently came into possession of a bottle of unopened Jay Vee bourbon, bottled in 1977. I cannot find any information about this bottle. Has anyone come across this before and have any information they can share?

 

[smokinjoe]

Welcome to SB!  Sleuthing around it appears this may be a private label bourbon for JayVee Liquors in Pinole, CA.  It was a practice years ago, that distilleries would create an entire label for good customers at the retail or distributor level, and fill with their bourbon.  While the label screams Heaven Hill to me, I think it might rather be Barton as the label references Los Angeles along with Bardstown.  I believe Barton has/had a bottling facility in LA.   Low level whiskey, as it’s their 80 proof, but interesting bottle, for sure.  I can’t determine how old the bottle is.  If it has a bar code and UPC, it would date it post 1983-ish.  Pinole is in the Bay Area of California.  If you are located there, you might stop by the store and see if anyone there has any knowledge of it.  Thanks for sharing the pic!  
 

BTW, one of the most famous client name labels ever done was for the Berghoff Bar in Chicago, offered by Julian Van Winkle III.  It was 14 year old Stitzel Weller, and I hear it was magnificent.  
 

[nhtn12]

Thank you for this information. The bottle is from 1977, never opened (still has the IRS tax paid sticker over the cap). Your information helps a lot! And thank you for the welcome. 

[PaulO]

Yes to everything Joe said.

I can only add, back in those days, Heaven Hill was doing their distilling at DSP 31 in Bardstown (pre fire).

Heaven Hill or Barton possible sources, but who knows.  It was during the "whiskey glut".  Could even be someone else, or more than one source.  Same thing with the age statement.  Maybe some much older barrels dumped into it.

I think the L.A. connection must have to do with whoever was selling this brand.