Thursday, December 19, 2013

....and another one bites the dust

There are a number of bourbon labels I've enjoyed over the years that are real value pours.  Old Weller Antique 7 year 107, Very Old Barton BIB 6 year and Ancient Ancient Age 10 year.  I managed to bunker multiples of each of these labels while available.

As most of you may know, the OWA age statement dropped back in 2009 and the AAA10 is now a KY only release.  It appears that VOB has now dropped their age statement.  Friends in TX have spotted VOB with "6" on the label (or something to that affect).  So, for anyone who's a fan of this particular bourbon, maybe a trip to your local liquor store and grabbing a few VOB 6 year would be prudent since the age statement is now history.

6 comments:

  1. How Good are some of these older inexpensive labels Greg?
    I ran across a bottle of Old Heaven Hill 1.75 liter for apprx 21.00 in SC
    during the holiday weekend. I didn't buy it because I didn't have space to bring
    it back (traveling real light) nor had I actually had it before. The distributor happened
    to be in the shop along with the owner, and they explained the difference was in the
    proof. Do you know if an age statement still exists for this brand?

    How would you describe the flavors of this bourbon (OHH)?

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    1. OHH is one that I have not really found or have experience with. When hunting in the DC market and surrounding area, I've seen very few.

      As for how good are inexpensive older expressions, that's really subjective and comes down to your own taste preferences. I find many of them to be quite good to include Old Fitz BIB, Old Fitz Prime 86, Old Grand Dad BIB and 86 (ND not Beam), Old Forester 86 and BIB, etc. The key is when you see some of these older, out of production labels, buy a bottle and give it a spin. If you like it and you left bottles on the shelf, go back and get more.

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  2. I was wondering if I could get some info on one such older bottle. While I have yet to go one a dusty hunt I saw a bottle of Old Forester 86. It does not have a stamp like I've seen in some of your pictures. Rather it has gold trim and just states it is 86. I doesn't look as old as some of the Old Foresters you have posted but it is not the current bottle either. Do you have any idea? Also, when you are talking about Old Fitz BIB, Prime, and OGD, how old are you talking about? While I have not come across the really old stuff I have seen "older" but just not sure if it is old enough from the current stuff. Thanks

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    1. Without seeing a picture of the Old Forester, it's hard to pinpoint distillation. Does the cap have a shrink wrap over it? As for age of the brands you listed; Old Fitz BIB is better the older it is. Old Fitz Prime depends on the proof and age and distillation year....I finished off a 1981 Fitz Prime 90 not too long ago...one of the best OF's I've had. For OGD, I would say early ND but stuff from the early 80's is quit good I have a OGD BIB from 1952 that's superb. Two of my favorite OGD's was a 114 from 1980 and a 9 year BIB 1972/1981. I had enough of this stuff to know good years and bad years so remember, taste is subjective so what I find tasty, you may not.

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  3. I just bought a 1.75 of Very Old Barton 6 Year Old but it's 90 proof, so not BIB. Is that one in danger of extinction?

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    1. Is is the new bottle style or old? My understanding is they dropped all age statements from Barton. VOB isn't easily found in my area but I'm headed to KY in a couple weeks and will check out the product line.

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