product transition strategies

[NorCalBoozer]

While sipping on some Pappy 15 it popped into my mind how very excellent the current version is in relation to past versions in spite of having to transition from the respected Stitzel Weller to Bernheim/BT.

I thought that the current version of PWV 15 seemed to share so many qualities of the SW versions that I wondered if it was possible that a certain amount of SW barrels were saved to mingle with the Bernheim/BT stock.

Van Winkle Lot B also seemed to share a similar success story.

In addition, a recent post about the possible storage of Saz 18 and the general decrease of older bourbon/whiskey led me to ponder what is the best method(s) to transition an established product brand when a source dries up?

I know we all don't like the fact that our old favorites are being replaced by younger aged/lower proofed versions, but in that sense the Van Winkle products have been so successful I thought it might be relevant to probe why they have been so much so....to the point that we don't seem to miss S/W all that much.

I'd like to discuss both successful and unsuccessful product transitions in this tread. What made them succeed or fail?

Greg

[gblick]

How current are you talking about? Do you have some that was bottled this year? I didn't know that it had hit any shelves yet.

[jimibourbonhammered]

It's in stores here in the south. We had been out since Jan. or Feb. I'm not sure how to date them, but mine has an obscure # 06-6074.01. All my current bottles have that same number, which may mean nothing. Both of my ORVW 15yo have the same number minus the.01 and identical bar code so I guess there's no way of knowing bottling year. It does seem better than previous batches as I don't remember the ORVW being this good. I'll have to break down and open one for a side by side.

[NorCalBoozer]

How current are you talking about? Do you have some that was bottled this year? I didn't know that it had hit any shelves yet.

maybe i am mistaken. I thought the non SW papppy 15 was already in distribution. i'll have to search to find more info.

[NorCalBoozer]

It's in stores here in the south. We had been out since Jan. or Feb. I'm not sure how to date them, but mine has an obscure # 06-6074.01. All my current bottles have that same number, which may mean nothing. Both of my ORVW 15yo have the same number minus the.01 and identical bar code so I guess there's no way of knowing bottling year. It does seem better than previous batches as I don't remember the ORVW being this good. I'll have to break down and open one for a side by side.

I will check my bottles and see what the codes are.