New Batch of Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection

[Sijan]

http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2008/03/04/buffalo-traces-new-experimental-collection-whiskeys/

Keeping with a tradition that began in 2006, the Buffalo Trace distillery just announced the release of two new whiskeys from their “Experimental Collection†series. Once again, these are wine-finished whiskeys. Here’s the description of each, as described in the press release I received about 15 minutes ago:

CABERNET FRANC AGED AFTER SIX YEARS: This whiskey was bourbon aged for six years and three months in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used French Oak Cabernet Franc barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 14 years old. Earthy tannins of Cabernet mingle well with the bourbon undertones.

CABERNET FRANC AGED AFTER EIGHT YEARS: This whiskey was bourbon aged for eight years and one month in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used French Oak Cabernet Franc barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 16 years old. The taste combines an amazing balance of heavy wine and bourbon character.

Some of these Experimental Collection whiskeys have been excellent. Others have been merely “curiosities.†As in the past, the whiskeys will be released in 375 ml bottles and will retail for less than $50. I’ll be getting samples soon and will let you know my thoughts.

Interestingly, when I was at The Buffalo Trace distillery in December, President & CEO Mark Brown hinted that they might be experimenting less with wine-finishing in the future and focusing more on other areas of whiskey production.

[HighTower]

Glad to hear they may be moving away from wine finishes.

I got the Zin bottles only because I'm a red wine drinker and that appealed to me. I think I read somewhere there are about 1500 experimental barrels?

I can't wait to see what's next.

Scott

[Tracy Hightower]

I got this in response to a request about the BTEC for 2008 a couple of weeks ago.

]Dear Tracy,

Thank you for asking about the Buffalo Trace Distillery Experimental Collection for 2008. I do not know what will be included this year, but will ask that your email address be added to distribution about the release. The collection is bottled in the summer, so look for something probably in July or early August.

[razerburnt]

Got this in an email today:

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY CONTINUES TO EXPERIMENT

More very limited, “one-of-kind” whiskies released

FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY— As part of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s experimental whiskey program two more barrels have been selected for release from among the 1,500 experiments currently aging.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has been experimenting for more than 19 years in an attempt to make the perfect whiskey. Some examples of the ongoing experiments include unique mash bills, types of wood, barrel toasts, and more. The first time any of these experiments were bottled and made available was in 2006.

“It’s really amazing to see how these experiments turn out,” said Harlen Wheatley , Master Distiller. “You never know what is going to happen and to be able to share the results with consumers makes it even more fun.”

Like the previous Experimental Collection releases, this offering will also be very limited. The two barrels selected are very special and yielded less than 500 bottles each. Most of this limited supply is already spoken for and will be very hard to find. The spring 2008 Experimental Collection contains two unique whiskies. Here are some details of the release:

CABERNET FRANC AGED AFTER SIX YEARS: This whiskey was bourbon aged for six years and three months in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used French Oak Cabernet Franc barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 14 years old. Earthy tannins of Cabernet mingle well with the bourbon undertones.

CABERNET FRANC AGED AFTER EIGHT YEARS: This whiskey was bourbon aged for eight years and one month in a new oak barrel before it was re-barreled into a used French Oak Cabernet Franc barrel. There it was aged for another eight years, making it a total of 16 years old. The taste combines an amazing balance of heavy wine and bourbon character.

“We continue to be thrilled with the response to our experimental releases,” said Kris Comstock , Buffalo Trace Brand Manager. “It is exciting to be a part of this experimental program and to be able to share it with whiskey enthusiasts, no matter how limited the releases.”

The Experimental Collection will be packaged in 375ml bottles. Each label will include all the pertinent information unique to that barrel of whiskey. These whiskies will be released in March and retail for around $46.35 each. For more information on the Experimental Collection or the other products of Buffalo Trace Distillery please contact Kris Comstock at kcomstock@buffalotrace.com.

[jinenjo]

Interesting. I hope I'll get to taste some of these two whiskies.

Cabernet sounds like a better match than Zin. Although I didn't try the others (or any for that matter), I get the sense Cab might do well in standing up to the strong notes found in Bourbon.

[spun_cookie]

These came out 4-5 months ago... i am confused by the "re-release" I have had them since oct... was that a mistake with a partal release?

[TNbourbon]

Odd, I saw the Cab. Franc several months ago in Nashville:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showpost.php?p=104858&postcount=40

I know what I saw, because I did a double-take, expecting to see the Zinfandel-finished, then-recent release.

[doubleblank]

While visiting with the Sazerac exec during the Houston Rodeo at the BT Tent, he admitted some of the cab franc had been released early. Of course, he caught hell for it when some of his best customers heard about it but couldn't get any. FYI, its in New Orleans too.

Randy

[Virus_Of_Life]

I might be the only one, but I'm really tired of these things! Let's get some real Straight Bourbon out there that hasn't been screwed with. These one off wine finishes are IMO not real bourbon so let's see some of these experimental mash bills and other stuff they are said to be experimenting with, maybe there is a real potential for some future new product lying in waiting... I regret paying $190 for the two I bought that I don't even want to taste now.

Just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen, just my thoughts.

[OscarV]

I might be the only one, but I'm really tired of these things! Let's get some real Straight Bourbon out there that hasn't been screwed with. These one off wine finishes are IMO not real bourbon so let's see some of these experimental mash bills and other stuff they are said to be experimenting with, maybe there is a real potential for some future new product lying in waiting... I regret paying $190 for the two I bought that I don't even want to taste now.

Just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen, just my thoughts.

Christian I second that.

I will however give props to the folks at Buffalo Trace for trying.

They started aging this bourbon in vino casks in 1999 so they were out front with their thinking.

I have a bottle Wild Turkey Sherry Signature and it taste like 2nd rate Turkey with some sherry in it. Which is what it is plus being "finished" in sherry casks.

So I have no interest in the vino finished offerings from BT.

I was excited a couple of years ago with the first release of the BTEC for what the future may bring but looks like we are still waiting, but now it looks like it is on it's way, finally. According to another post future BTEC's will not be muddled with wine.

[jburlowski]

Christian I second that.

I will however give props to the folks at Buffalo Trace for trying.

They started aging this bourbon in vino casks in 1999 so they were out front with their thinking.

I have a bottle Wild Turkey Sherry Signature and it taste like 2nd rate Turkey with some sherry in it. Which is what it is plus being "finished" in sherry casks.

So I have no interest in the vino finished offerings from BT.

I was excited a couple of years ago with the first release of the BTEC for what the future may bring but looks like we are still waiting, but now it looks like it is on it's way, finally. According to another post future BTEC's will not be muddled with wine.

I second all that...

I've tried some of the previous experimental bottlings and found them generally uninteresting and (certainly at the price) unsatisifying. I'm glad that BT is trying new things but, so far at least, not ready for prime time.