Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 rye

[bluesbassdad]

Dave, it sounds to me like you're talking about Hirsch 16.

And, lest any whippersnapper think that you wouldn't know the difference, I submit this chestnut that you authored in the early days of the forum

And, to edit a second time, I believe you had a Hirsch bottling of Van Winkle rye at one time, as well.

Ah, yes! The the gold foil bottling of Hirsch 16 had not occurred when I made that comparison. The bottling I referred to there was the gold wax.

***

Right you are regarding my confusion. :blush:

I'm afraid one drink a month isn't sufficient to refresh memories acquired during the last decade or so. :crazy:

I've never had a less than stellar bottle with the words "Van Winkle" on it.

I haven't had my July drink yet. I think it's gonna be one of the Van Winkles. :yum:

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Virus_Of_Life]

The optimist in me does say that something rye-ey is coming soon...

According to my math, that means 2017. Not soon enough in my book. You'd think there's something out there. I still don't get it, that Sam's had a 10 yr of Saz Jr. and yet there's no more such bottlings (commercial or private) out there to meet our demands.

I'm wondering if all or most of the 10+ y.o. rye is being held for utra-premium bottles, like 20+ year olds.

Lear, what I am hoping is that when Julian joined BT they distilled some Rye using a mashbill different than Saz Jr/Handy. Or a different yeast, either way something different that would get them closer to the flavor profile of the original Medley Rye/COK Rye because I think we all can agree that however great the Saz Jr is, the flavor is very different from Medley/COK VW Rye.

[Phischy]

Where can I get this in San Diego? I've only ever seen 1 bottle, that I bought, and it was several years back!

[Rughi]

Where can I get this in San Diego? I've only ever seen 1 bottle, that I bought, and it was several years back!

It may still only be available in Virginia. No word on a national rollout that I've seen.

Roger

[DeanSheen]

Any idea when this is going to be released in 2010? The last 2 years have been a big mystery as to when it's hitting shelves.

I'd love to know so I could be sure to get some.

[funknik]

Any idea when this is going to be released in 2010? The last 2 years have been a big mystery as to when it's hitting shelves.

I'd love to know so I could be sure to get some.

[Lost Pollito]

I think it's kind of a crapshoot --

[CaptainQ]

Any idea when this is going to be released in 2010? The last 2 years have been a big mystery as to when it's hitting shelves.

I'd love to know so I could be sure to get some.

From the man himself:

"We usually ship our larger allocation in September/October each year. We also ship a smaller allocation out in mid-March.

What we ship of each age each year depends upon how many barrels we happen to have available each year. The amounts will vary from year to year.

I would say an average would be about 500 cases of each age each year.

Thanks very much for your business."

Regards,

Julian Van Winkle

[DeanSheen]

Thanks all and good idea going to the man Captain.

I'll just keep stalking. I'm still haunted by an opportunity 2 years ago I had to buy a case right when I got into this hobby. I messed around for a few weeks then my opportunity was gone. It was the old 'if I knew then what I knew now' situation that I of course botched.

I have 4 or 5 in the bunker but it just does not seem like enough.

[tommyboy38]

For the VWFRR, it's never enough.

[The Boozer]

I still can't find any of this around town and have been to a bunch of the stores that usually have large inventories. Any MI hounds got any suggestions?

[unclebunk]

The VWFRR is definitely tricky to find, at least around here. But I did snag one on Monday for $40 and still have two in the bunker. Hooray!

[tommyboy38]

I'd love to find one for $40. I knew a place that used to have it for $40 but in the last year it's gone from $40 to $44 to $49 to $58.

[SBOmarc]

I'd love to find one for $40. I knew a place that used to have it for $40 but in the last year it's gone from $40 to $44 to $49 to $58.

That is the case with all Van Winkle bottles that I have seen. Not just the Rye.

[tommyboy38]

I was going to bunker a few when it was $44 but I figured there was no hurry. I was way off the mark. I did buy a few for $58 but I'm not sure how much higher I'd go and I hope the other bottlings don't follow suit.

I know that some retailers really jack up the prices on some bottlings and will see the same bottle go between $40 and $80 or $80 to $130 for something like PVW20. This is when it's time to retreat to the bunker.

Keep your overpriced whiskey...I have enough to last for some time.

[unclebunk]

Keep your overpriced whiskey...I have enough to last for some time.

You do mean "a lifetime," right Tommy? I was lucky on the $40 VWFRR. The price hadn't changed since the last time I was in this store which was before the tax increase in Illinois last September. It was actually tucked away a bit on the shelf and was no doubt overlooked somehow when they re-priced everything last year. I drink this juice slowly to conserve it, usually in rotation with T. Handy Sazerac and Michter's 10 which I also really enjoy, so I'm pretty well set now on my top shelf ryes. (I've got a few of the other two bunkered as well.)

[JamesW]

I only have one left and no chance of getting any more now that I'm in Canada. I promised myself I wouldn't open it until I get another... and I do look longingly at it. UncleBunk, is the Michter 10 really good?

[tommyboy38]

I enjoy the Michters 10. I find it similiar to the VWFRR.

[unclebunk]

I only have one left and no chance of getting any more now that I'm in Canada. I promised myself I wouldn't open it until I get another... and I do look longingly at it. UncleBunk, is the Michter 10 really good?

Yes, James. The Michter's 10 Year Old Rye (not to be confused with the Michter's US1 Rye) is excellent but unfortunately quite pricey. The juice is considerably older than 10 years, as has been established in other threads concerning this product, so it compares well to Sazerac 18 despite obvious differences in character.

[nblair]

Did anyone else who picked up a new bottle this past week notice the lettering started back at 'A' again? It was a few miles from my house so I highly doubt it was sitting there for any extended period of time.

[Vange]

They went back to A on the new release if I am not mistaken

[The Boozer]

The VWFRR is definitely tricky to find, at least around here. But I did snag one on Monday for $40 and still have two in the bunker. Hooray!

[SMOWK]

All of the bottles I've picked up in the last year or so have an "A" on them.

[The Boozer]

Still can't find this stuff anywhere, A letter or B thru I letters. :smiley_acbt: :hot: :banghead:

[The Boozer]

Patience. I must learn patience.

Well it finally paid off. Picked up two bottles of VWFRR today for about $60 /bottle. Was down to the last bottle and starting getting nervous. I think I should open one immediately and take the edge off. :grin: