fricky Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 I could use some help in understanding Jefferson's Reserve bottlings. The last bottle that I purchased was clearly marked "15 Years Old". I drank all of it, liked it, and tried to purchase another similar bottle. The current bottling available in Pennslyvania is not marked 15 years old. It contains a tag noting that the age is 13-17 years. Is that a blend of various years? Is the 15 years old bottling still being produced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc_mcCabe Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 The one I picked up recently is labelled "15 years," so I'm not sure what is going on with yours. Do they taste similar? Speaking of the taste of the JR, I find it to be quite an unusual bourbon. I get a powerful scent of pine (maybe even turpentine), which is interesting and quite different than any of my other bourbons. Some find this bourbon objectionable, perhaps overpowering in the wood. I like it (aside from the cork problems, as reported elsewhere). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourbonmed Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 The original 15 yr old hasn't been bottled for the past couple of years. It was replaced by the 13-17 y/o as well and a second, more affordable Jefferson's edition. Last year, there was talk of a special extra-aged series of Jefferson's (17 yrs and older) but apparently those plans have been delayed or abandoned. Omar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 ...Is the 15 years old bottling still being produced? No, it is not -- almost certainly because the bottler's (not a distiller) supply of that strictly 15yo bourbon has dried up. What used to be called "15 Year Old" is now simply called "Very Old". In fact, some of the transitional bottles have a sticker over the original "15 Year Old" designation, changing it to "Very Old". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 My Very Old at the store has a hang tag stating 12-17 years old. Does yours really say 13? I like the Very Old much better than the 15. It's much smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 I found a rather dusty bottle of the 15 year old in a local store this past weekend. I was tempted to pick it up but at about $50 I hesitated. Any thoughts on whether this is worth the $?Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr8erdane Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 That's about the price I have seen it for and paid as well. If you are interested in collecting bottlings old and new, it may well be worth it. If you just want Jefferson's Reserve, you might want to see if you can find it a little cheaper first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhooch Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 I had the $50 bottle of Jefferson's Reserve. It is all gone, now. It was okay, but, I didn't think it was worth the price. I would rather buy another 2004 Stagg (if available), ORVW 15yo, etc., for less money. For comparison, I felt like it was as good as a good $35 bourbon, but, no better. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbyvirus Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 I had the $50 bottle of Jefferson's Reserve. It is all gone, now. It was okay, but, I didn't think it was worth the price. I would rather buy another 2004 Stagg (if available), ORVW 15yo, etc., for less money. For comparison, I felt like it was as good as a good $35 bourbon, but, no better. These are my sentiments as well. It's a good bourbon, but not a $50 bourbon. Instead I'd buy ORVW, or Rock Hill Farms, or Hirsch, or Stagg... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 The 15 is overpriced at $50. I think the Very Old is a much better whiskey between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc_mcCabe Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 LeNell-- your website lists these two bottlings of the Jefferson: JEFFERSON SMALL BATCH 8 YR and the JEFFERSON'S RESERVE VERY OLD. It sounds like the very old is the one replacing the 15 and you like it better. But how's the 8 year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 The 8 is much different. No where near as rich and full flavored. It's very light with a low barrel char prolly accounting for that. Trey was around a while back and said the char level was a two which I didn't even know was being used. I tell folks it's a nice hot weather sipper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourbonmed Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Lenell,Did Trey mention anything about extra-aged expressions (17y and older)?Thx, Omar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 Sorry it took me so long to respond. I've been so swamped with life I haven't been on the board much. whine whineMy best recollection is that they had hoped for an older version, but older whiskey being in such short supply, they opted for the Very Old designation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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