ORVW 10yo 107 Lot/Bottle codes?

[MikeK]

I searched around a bit but didn't see this answered.

VWFRR has a letter code that is well understood. It started in the late 90's with A (I think) and increments each year.

But how about the 10yo 107 proof bottles? My buddy has a bottle he bought last year that has a code starting with 'A'. I saw a bottle in a store last night with a 'T', or some other 'large' letter.

So what does this letter mean? Did they start with 'A' years ago and bump it every release? And if it is sequential, where is the cutover from S/W to BT?

Thanks!

[BourbonJoe]

Mike,

I was under the impression that bottle letters/numbers on Van Winkle bottles are essentially meaningless except for the letter codes on the rye bottles.

Joe :usflag:

[Old Lamplighter]

So what does this letter mean? Did they start with 'A' years ago and bump it every release? And if it is sequential, where is the cutover from S/W to BT?

Thanks!

Like Joe, I have heard & read same that the letter & number on these labels was meaningless. Don't think we can know where the cutover occured. The only sure thing all along has been the fact that the Lawrenceburg bottles were definitely S/W and Frankfort could be either one.

At this point, it does not seem to be very important to most. From what I can tell and learned from others, the cutover was pretty seamless.....nobody seems to be able to tell a difference. As has been stated several times, JVW is not going to have his name on anything except the very best in terms of bourbon. If the name 'Van Winkle' is on the label, rest assured it is of the highest quality and sure to please.

Jake

[doubleblank]

Back on August 2, 2004, in a thread titled "Old Rip Van Winkle 10/107", I noted I was getting different flavors in my 10/107. I also said I liked it, but it was different. Later that year/early 2005, Julian stated that they switched 10/107 from SW to Bernheim in the mid summer 2004 bottling run. So its been almost three years since the 10/107 was SW.

As to those lettered and numbered bottles, its a mixed bag. Those letters (or their absence) can help you date VWFRR 13yo, Pappy23, etc. My guess is that bottles with the same letter came from the same run/batch......ie I have a case of sequentially numbered "I" bottles of 10/107 from Lawrenceburg.

Randy

[Old Lamplighter]

....ie I have a case of sequentially numbered "I" bottles of 10/107 from Lawrenceburg.

Randy

To be totally honest, it is hard for me to really know if there is/was a difference since I don't think I have ever had any S/W make of the 10/107. So, I am probably not a good judge. While it does not seem to mean a whole lot, it is fun to compare numbers and the overall discussion. I have an "I" bottle from Frankfort. Unlike yours, I am sure it is Bernheim - but very, very good just the same.

[MikeK]

I certainly agree that any of Julian's bottlings are very good. But it is interesting to know the history and progression when you run into different lot numbers.

I also can most definitely tell a difference between consecutive years bottlings of the same label. While they are all good, one might find a particular year that they like better and want to keep an eye out for more.

So knowing what the bottling codes means is often quite useful. If they are totally random, then that is a tease and I am slightly annoyed.

Again, as a good example, the VWFRR codes are quite meaningful. The most recent bottling is amazing, but should I find one of the younger bottlings I would make a special point to pick it up so I could compare the age expressions.

So what's the truth Julian?