Barton's Authentic Bond

[jinenjo]

Came across a bottle (that I left on the shelf) called Barton's Authentic Bond. It appeared to be from the '80s. I'm on a budget, so I left it on the shelf.

Is this just an older version of the current BiB?

Anyone think it's worth going back for? or getting for a trade?

[mozilla]

Just to make sure...It is a KSBW? If so, it should be somewhat similar to Very Old Barton. I don't believe that Barton has changed thier process much since that time. I would give it a shot or buy it if resonably priced.

Jeff Mo.

[ACDetroit]

I found a store today with about 5 bottles of the Very Old Barton (6yr) not a bad price it's in a Rebel Yell type bottle.

Is this stuff any good? I was going to grab one but I opted for the ER 10yr. 101 last one on the shelf.

[cowdery]

Yes, Very Old Barton is very good, but it's not a rarity like the Eagle Rare. I mean, VOB is rare in that it's not available everywhere, but since you saw it in a store it probably will continue to be available there. It's still in production, unlike the ER 10yr 101.

So you probably made the right choice, but if you haven't had it before, by all means give the VOB a chance too.

[mozilla]

Chuck,

You seem very sure that the ER101 is dead. The mash bill is still being made. I found a brand new liter bottle just a few months ago. It had the web site and new packaging(pic posted in collectibles). Maybe BT just is not bottling as much as they used to.

[ACDetroit]

I know three years ago on a Lexington trip. Sal Marino at the Thoroughbred Shop told me this whiskey (ER 10yr 101) was really good and they were not going to be making it anymore. I picked up (4) 750ml cheap back then under $20. I loved this bottle and did not know it made it to Michigan. I have found 2 now.

I will try the VOB but I just found a couple other bottles I’m getting first.

Again Thank you.

[mozilla]

All that I am saying is, ER, Old Charter, Buffalo Trace, Benchmark and a few others share the same mash bill. So....BT will make this mash bill for a long, long time. IF they choose not to pull any at 10 years and 101 proof, then ER won't be found very often.

My take is that BT has alot of Buffalo Trace 8year to catch up on. Austin recently started to carry BT, so what that means is... they need more booze or...we need to drink less. I say ER will be made when and if they catch up on BT being a "national brand".

[cowdery]

I'm pretty sure the ER 101 has been discontinued and for good reason. It's not different enough from the single barrel (which is 10/90, rather than 10/101) for them to continue both. Yes, one is single barrel and the other is not. But arguably the better (as in higher proof) product was the cheaper one, and that can't be allowed to stand. They have repositioned the new standard Eagle Rare as a top-shelf product in the $20-$30 price range, and the Eagle Rare 17-year-old in the BTAC supports that position. ER 101 is a turd in the punchbowl at that party.

All that said, ER 101 probably will continue to move through the pipeline for a couple more years and stock could remain on the shelf for decades, as we all know.