Is my new Woodford Reserve "old"?

[Hedmans Brorsa]

After being unavailable for more than a year here in Sweden, WR returned to the fold last month.

It was quite a while since I had a bottle at home, so I took the opportunity to order one.

Being gone for some time from our shores, I didn´t find it unreasonable that the stuff I would get would be from newer stock. I don´t think it did, though. The bottle I got was Batch 10, approved by Lincoln Henderson.

If it is as I suspect, than I most try to order a bottle from abroad and specify batch number.

The important question for me, then, will be : from which batch numbers does WR include pot still whiskey? I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about this. Thanks a bunch!

P.S I know about the search function but there´s been a plethora of threads and posts about WR, so it was bit difficult to navigate.

[HighTower]

I believe anything Lincoln Henderson is old stock.

Scott

[TNbourbon]

That's an early one, Lennart.

[cowdery]

Odd. It makes me think someone, probably on your side of the pond, discovered a few "lost" cases in the back of a warehouse. That is, indeed, very old stock, dating back about ten years. It also will be 100% Jefferson County continuous still whiskey. They didn't start to blend in the pot still Woodford County whiskey until Batch 90 in Spring of 2003.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Odd is definitely the key word here.

Anyway, thanks for the replies! I know now that I got an old bottle and have to specify Batch 90 and upwards to get a bottle with the new potstill make.

Unless, of course, it is one of those "renumbered" batches. If I have understood it right, they should all have Chris Morris` signature on them.

[HighTower]

I saw Chris Morris bottles today for the first time. I have only ever had Lincoln Henderson bottles and I currently have 2 full ones, from batch 1 and batch 5. I really like this bourbon, from what I have read here, it has sort of gone downhill since?? I will get one of the Morris bottles and try it.

Scott

[nor02lei]

After being unavailable for more than a year here in Sweden, WR returned to the fold last month.

It was quite a while since I had a bottle at home, so I took the opportunity to order one.

Being gone for some time from our shores, I didn´t find it unreasonable that the stuff I would get would be from newer stock. I don´t think it did, though. The bottle I got was Batch 10, approved by Lincoln Henderson.

If it is as I suspect, than I most try to order a bottle from abroad and specify batch number.

The important question for me, then, will be : from which batch numbers does WR include pot still whiskey? I would be grateful if someone could enlighten me about this. Thanks a bunch!

P.S I know about the search function but there´s been a plethora of threads and posts about WR, so it was bit difficult to navigate.

Lennart,

As I understand the 0.375 and 1.75 cl bottles are different batches from the 0.75 cl bottle. As I see it that could mean that the 0.70cl bottle (EU standard) also could be a different batch “system†compared to the 0.75 cl bottle. However Henderson of cause secure that it’s at least a bit old (I don’t know how old).

Leif

[photogjunkie]

Today, I happened upon a stash of 1.75L bottles of batch number 2 in a liquor store. They were $64 bucks apiece. I didn't buy any, but are they worth getting?

[cowdery]

I didn't know they had a 1.75 L.

I know of no reason why different size bottles should have a different numbering system. I would think it logical that batch "x" is batch "x" regardless of what size of bottle happens to be on the line.

As I understand it, they did start renumbering when Chris's signature started to be used, but that's it.

[TNbourbon]

I didn't know they had a 1.75 L.

I know of no reason why different size bottles should have a different numbering system. I would think it logical that batch "x" is batch "x" regardless of what size of bottle happens to be on the line.

As I understand it, they did start renumbering when Chris's signature started to be used, but that's it.

Nope. Each new size/iteration starts at "Batch 1". There are some VIP liters down the street with that designation that were shipped in June 2000 (I saw the marked-up case when still full). That's when they started the VIP bottling.

[Virus_Of_Life]

Nope. Each new size/iteration starts at "Batch 1". There are some VIP liters down the street with that designation that were shipped in June 2000 (I saw the marked-up case when still full). That's when they started the VIP bottling.

You know I read here somewhere here that when Chris Morris took over they went back to Batch 1 "Summer 2006: Brown-Forman master distiller Chris Morris' signature replaces retired MD Lincoln Henderson's on WR bottles, which are renumbered back to Batch 1." and I find that very hard to believe. Around here I have not seen a batch number lower than 219, I think it was, with his signature; however I have seen from 70 something up through 170 something, I believe it was, with Lincoln Henderson's signature. So I find it very hard to believe batches 1-218 w/ Morris' signature sold out while these others are still sitting around - at many places I might add. I guess I am pointing this out because I am not so sure we all have the facts straight regarding the numbering of batches at WR.

[jeff]

You know I read here somewhere here that when Chris Morris took over they went back to Batch 1 "Summer 2006: Brown-Forman master distiller Chris Morris' signature replaces retired MD Lincoln Henderson's on WR bottles, which are renumbered back to Batch 1." and I find that very hard to believe. Around here I have not seen a batch number lower than 219, I think it was, with his signature; however I have seen from 70 something up through 170 something, I believe it was, with Lincoln Henderson's signature. So I find it very hard to believe batches 1-218 w/ Morris' signature sold out while these others are still sitting around - at many places I might add. I guess I am pointing this out because I am not so sure we all have the facts straight regarding the numbering of batches at WR.

I doubt that too. There was no change in the numbering sequence of the 750s except for the signature. we're into the 200s here in Lexington. I know that the 1.75s started at #1 with Chris Morris' signature, but I don't think they made that size while Lincoln was still the MD.

[cowdery]

The nature of the distribution system is such that one market might have very "fresh" product whereas another may have product that is months, even years, old and our whole "dusty corners" enterprise is based on the fact that bottles can sit on store shelves for many years.

Along those lines, it would surprise me not at all to learn that some markets still have nothing but Lincoln Henderson bottles.

The "batch" is supposed to represent one filling of the dump tanks, so it seems illogical to me to start the numbering system over for a different bottle size, unless those bottles are filled on a separate line with its own tanks, which I don't believe is the case. I was there last about a year ago and they still had just the one line.

Of course, just because something seems illogical to me is no reason to assume it isn't being done.

Still, it sounds like we need some clarification about the batch numbering system. Some inquiries may be in order.

[TNbourbon]

...There was no change in the numbering sequence of the 750s except for the signature...

You sure, Jeff? In our TN store, we have low batch numbers on Chris Morris WR 750s. I know that because I keep checking them to see if there's still a stray Lincoln Henderson bottle in the distributor's stock (not that I'm going to buy it if they is).

[jeff]

You sure, Jeff? In our TN store, we have low batch numbers on Chris Morris WR 750s. I know that because I keep checking them to see if there's still a stray Lincoln Henderson bottle in the distributor's stock (not that I'm going to buy it if they is).

No. I haven't paid super-close attention, but I know I have seen some rather high numbers (200+) with Chris' signature, so I assumed (:bigeyes:) that was the case.

[PFC]

If it is as I suspect, than I most try to order a bottle from abroad and specify batch number.

Hi Lennart!

Regeringsgatan in Stockholm have 9 bottles WR left. At least the first three on the shelf were batch 11, signed by Chris Morris. Perhaps there's no need to look abroad after all...

Cheers

Mats

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Hi Lennart!

Regeringsgatan in Stockholm have 9 bottles WR left. At least the first three on the shelf were batch 11, signed by Chris Morris. Perhaps there's no need to look abroad after all...

Cheers

Mats

How weird, then, that I got an old one.

Anway, this is what is so painful about special order items. If I were to ask the staff at my local liquor store to order a special batch they would probably give me a funny look.

I´m going to Stockholm in December but then they are probably all gone.

[PFC]

I´m going to Stockholm in December but then they are probably all gone.

Well, if you want me to, I'd be happy to pick up a bottle for you. I live downtown, so it's really no problem for me. Send me a PM if you're interested

/Mats