Pure Kentucky?

[cowdery]

...I don't really understand the distiller selling bulk whiskey to others to be bottled under a different name...

It's just another revenue stream. They're in the business of making and selling whiskey. This is just another way to sell their product.

Only Heaven Hill does it as a standard part of their business, but everyone will sell bulk whiskey under the right circumstances. What are the right circumstances? (1) The distiller doesn't need it to fill existing demand for their brands, and (2) there is someone willing to buy it for a profitable sum.

Part of the reason the industry needs bulk sales is because of the long lead time necessary for production planning, due to the aging cycle. A distiller sells its bottled products via orders from distributors. It's good to have enough product to fill all the orders, but that probably means you have some left over. (Better that than not having enough.) Having another way to sell it is good business.

[NorCalBoozer]

Without question that is the case, as the producer of Pure Kentucky XO is a bottler but not a distiller who is at the mercy of his bulk whiskey suppliers. This difficulty maintaining consistency from batch to batch is one of the many reasons I don't have much interest in these non-distiller bottlings.

Chuck...would a bottler bother to mingle barrels together to help improve the taste? Or do they simply bottle what they purchase directly from the distiller?

Even if they couldn't meet a standard profile from bottling to bottling, it would make sense to vat stuff (especially if they buy from more than one distiller) and hopefully be able to create an improved taste profile for their label(s).

Greg.

[cowdery]

Chuck...would a bottler bother to mingle barrels together to help improve the taste? Or do they simply bottle what they purchase directly from the distiller?

Even if they couldn't meet a standard profile from bottling to bottling, it would make sense to vat stuff (especially if they buy from more than one distiller) and hopefully be able to create an improved taste profile for their label(s).

Greg.

They do what they can with what they have at any given moment. If they have a contract with the distiller, they may be getting some consistent product, but many of these guys are buying on the spot market, which is pretty much catch as catch can.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I tried some of this again tonite and cannot say a single bad thing about it, I think it is wonderful - too bad I don't know where it was actually distilled.

I am still bothered and always will be about the selling of bulk. Maybe I just view it wrong, but if KBD buys bulk from HH does that mean that what turns into PK XO or even Vintage xx year was distilled as the same stuff that could have ended up being Elijah C. or Evan W.? I apologize for my ignorance if I am totally off on this.

I guess all that matters in the end is if I enjoy what I bought for the price I paid....

[jburlowski]

This difficulty maintaining consistency from batch to batch is one of the many reasons I don't have much interest in these non-distiller bottlings.

Chuck, as usual you are correct the quality can vary. But it can with "big name" bourbons as well; e.g., EC 12 and recently Blanton's.

Part of the joy is exploring and trying new pours. If I find a really good one (like a recent Noah's Mill) I'll grab another from the same batch number (or a least from the same store's selection).

I always find them at least "interesting" and sometimes outstanding....

[camduncan]

It's just another revenue stream. They're in the business of making and selling whiskey. This is just another way to sell their product.

Only Heaven Hill does it as a standard part of their business, but everyone will sell bulk whiskey under the right circumstances. What are the right circumstances? (1) The distiller doesn't need it to fill existing demand for their brands, and (2) there is someone willing to buy it for a profitable sum.

Part of the reason the industry needs bulk sales is because of the long lead time necessary for production planning, due to the aging cycle. A distiller sells its bottled products via orders from distributors. It's good to have enough product to fill all the orders, but that probably means you have some left over. (Better that than not having enough.) Having another way to sell it is good business.

Australia has quite a few lables that are sold in this way..... (even Jim Beam White Label is shipped here in barrels and bottled at the lower proof of 37.5%)

Most noteable of these (I think) is Cougar bourbon. I think I read somewhere that this comes from Wild Turkey? Does anyone know for sure?

[Sweetmeats]

Got my third botle of Pure Kentucky XO for Christmas. I'm not sure what it is about this bourbon that I really enjoy but it is truly one of my favorites. It bugs me that I don't know what to attribute it to, whether it's the distiller or recipe or what since what makes up these bottlings seems very hush hush. Truth be told, I wouldn't have ever bought it if my wife didn't spring it on me for Christmas last year. The reviews didn't appear to be gushing but I didn't want to hurt her feelings and take it back. I'm glad I opened it. I worry that I'll hit a bad batch one of these days though and it will sour me for it but so far...3 out of 3 over a year span from different stores is a good track record. Anyone know where this whiskey is distilled and if all bottlings comes from the same age barrels and what not?

[Gillman]

The other board has a taste note reporting very good things about the current bottling; your opinion adds weight to this view.

Gary

[drli]

I would try it for $17 or even for $26.. but its $39 at bevmo... so i think I will pass.

[HighTower]

Australia has quite a few lables that are sold in this way..... (even Jim Beam White Label is shipped here in barrels and bottled at the lower proof of 37.5%)

Most noteable of these (I think) is Cougar bourbon. I think I read somewhere that this comes from Wild Turkey? Does anyone know for sure?

I was wondering about that myself Cam....I'm not a fan of normal Cougar, but I do like the Cougar XS (86 proof). It would surprise me if it came from Wild Turkey, as I am not a fan of their 86.8, I find it too raw. Although if they did make it - it could be a different recipe they use....I love the 8yo 101 though, and of course the others.....:grin:

Scott

[Old Lamplighter]

Without question that is the case, as the producer of Pure Kentucky XO is a bottler but not a distiller who is at the mercy of his bulk whiskey suppliers. This difficulty maintaining consistency from batch to batch is one of the many reasons I don't have much interest in these non-distiller bottlings.

While not trying to shift the course of this thread, is PKXO akin to Kentucky Vintage? I had a bottle of it at one time in the past and it was pretty good - worth the $20 I paid. I have only seen one bottle since and it sits in a store I rarely visit for $27 - figured that was too much. Seems like there was some link to PKXO - maybe not same source, but same bottler?

[JRomain]

I picked up a bottle of this last summer when I went through Kentucky. I like it a lot...it's very tasty, and a bit woody, which I like. I think I paid about $26 for it, and it's well worth it. I've never seen it outside of Kentucky.

I scored a bottle in Southern Indiana (in New Albany, on the KY border) the other day for somewhere around $25-$30. I'll post some notes once I open it. I was far morei mpresed with the Noah's Mill than the Kentucky Vintage, though. The Noah's was very longm and like an explosion of violets and lavender. Since I'd never had anything from this distillery, I opted for the two cheaper ones instead of the two higher-end ones. I hope the Pure Kentucky delivers, because, like I said, the Kentucky Vintage seemed simplistic and lacking in depth.

[cowdery]

While not trying to shift the course of this thread, is PKXO akin to Kentucky Vintage? I had a bottle of it at one time in the past and it was pretty good - worth the $20 I paid. I have only seen one bottle since and it sits in a store I rarely visit for $27 - figured that was too much. Seems like there was some link to PKXO - maybe not same source, but same bottler?

They're both from KBD, but I can't say if they are similar or not.

[JRomain]

While not trying to shift the course of this thread, is PKXO akin to Kentucky Vintage? I had a bottle of it at one time in the past and it was pretty good - worth the $20 I paid. I have only seen one bottle since and it sits in a store I rarely visit for $27 - figured that was too much. Seems like there was some link to PKXO - maybe not same source, but same bottler?

Same bottler.

http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/kentucky_vintage.php

I'd still llike to know who the distiller is. Perhaps drew_kulsveen can clarify for us?

[Sweetmeats]

Is this being discontinued?

I walked into my local Bevmo on Friday and they had two bottles on clearance for 24 dollars. I bought one and came home and tasted it. Better tasting than the usual ones so I went back today to try and get the other. It was marked down to 16 dollars now. You better believe I bought it. Great prices but it saddens me if this stuff is gone for good.

[cowdery]

It is still on their website, and I think I saw it on their table at WhiskeyFest. They didn't have a table at the Sampler. Drew may check in, but you can always PM him. He responds to inquiries.

[Brennan77]

Is this being discontinued?

I walked into my local Bevmo on Friday and they had two bottles on clearance for 24 dollars. I bought one and came home and tasted it. Better tasting than the usual ones so I went back today to try and get the other. It was marked down to 16 dollars now. You better believe I bought it. Great prices but it saddens me if this stuff is gone for good.

It's still on shelves in Louisiana. I haven't heard anything about them taking them off the shelves. Pure Kentucky, Kentucky Vintage, and Rowan's Creek are go to bourbons for me.

[Sweetmeats]

Thanks for the advice Chuck. I sent him a PM.

[NickAtMartinis]

After having read the first two pages of this thread and another, I began to look forward to this bourbon.

Boy, was that a bad idea. Not unlike Bob Crane's friend, John Carpenter, this stuff is unlikeable!!!! There is such an overpowering sweetness and an absolute lack of melding flavors. Just weird!

I've had bourbon that I haven't liked but appreciated, if you know what I mean. As an example, I first tried WTT and didn't like it upon first tasting, but at least I had a respect for the type of bourbon. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't, at the time (by bottle's end I loved it!) a flavor profile I adhored. This stuff is something totally different.

[NickAtMartinis]

Just so that you know what bottle I'm talking about, here's the info:

Distilled: 1/15/96

Bottled: 7/12/06