TATER YOUR OWN BOTTLE - 2.0
Besides running to the store for the newest bottle release (more like camping out these days), nothing screams “tater” like a good "desecration of bottle" with stickers, wax and more. As the thrill of scoring that unicorn bottle at retail prices continues to dwindle (does it even happen anymore?), bourbon groups across the nation have sought to fill that void by using their group barrel picks to brand the bottle with their own special label and flair. What began as a creative way of building camaraderie behind the shared spirits soon became a somewhat artificial but very real uptick in demand for group barrel picks and bottles.
Last year (2021) certain distilleries and distributors began cracking down on groups "desecrating" these barrel picks. While the reasons for enforcement were not made known, one can speculate that the various reasons range from controlling the demand and branding of their products to reducing potential exposure to liabilities by groups taking questionable creative liberties. Nonetheless, TYOB (Tater Your Own Bottle) was born to keep the camaraderie behind bottle flair and allow Taters the opportunity to collectively express their own personal creativity. Indeed, like the contents of the bottles themselves, TYOB is best enjoyed as a shared experience.
Attendees of this year’s event at the OT (Ossian Tavern) were treated to the obligatory opportunities to wax dip and sticker their bottles while hoping to win one of the prizes of the evening: Blantons, Blantons Gold, Tater’s Rebel signed by John Rempe or 2022 Taters Four Roses. We also celebrated the release of two new bottles. First was the Bonesnapper Rye picked in conjunction with the McMillen Bourbon & Bingo event, which incidentally, topped $70K raised for McMillen following the release of the Bonesnapper. Taters were also treated to the release of Indiana's first Town Branch Single Barrel Reserve Straight Rye.
Barreled on 11/8/2014, this nearly 8 year old rye is bottled at 54.1% (108.2 proof) by Lexington Distilling, Co. right in the heart of downtown Lexington. While the Bonesnapper was finished in a ruby port barrel, the Town Branch is 100% rye whiskey. The mash bill for Town Branch is 55% rye, 30% corn, 15% malted barley. How does this compare with some other familiar brands?
Willett is a blend of 74% rye, 11% corn and 15% malted barley & 51% rye, 34% corn and 15% malted barley
MGP's popular rye is 95% rye and 5% malted barley
Knob Creek is 55% rye, 35% corn and 10% malted barley
Sazerac is 51% rye, 39% corn and 10% malted barley
Wild Turkey Rare Breed is 51% Rye, 37% Corn and 12% malted barley
Jack Daniel's Rye is 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley
If the breakdown above tells you anything, it's that other than MGP's punch you in the face rye spice, there's quite the overlap of the various rye whiskeys; and yet, each tends to bring it's own distinct flavor profile. Town Branch is not any different. We believe it's the higher malted barley along with a well-aged 8 years that gives this rye a dynamically sweet and zesty flavor profile that you'll want to experience for yourself! Stop by the OT to get one while they last.
But we digress. We're truly thankful for all who came out to enjoy TYOB and even more grateful for the Taters that continue to support our mission and the charities we support. Until the next time, enjoy our video and the great pictures by our own Matt Hakey.
