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Photo libraries, in ascending order by bottling year
Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr 107pf Lawrenceburg, ~1998
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year was released in the late 1970s and is still produced today. It was Stitzel-Weller stock until around 2004, when it was Bermheim for a while and eventually Buffalo Trace (with some probably mingling in the transition years). The Lawrenceburg bottles are especially valued, possibly because they were non chill filtered before the move to Buffalo Trace in 2002.
Old Rip Van Winkle 15yr 107pf Lawrenceburg, ~1998
Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year was produced from 1989-2003, when it was replaced by Pappy 15. Many connoisseurs prefer the Old Rip to the Pappy, and the Lawrenceburg bottles are especially valued, possibly because they were non chill filtered before the move to Buffalo Trace in 2002. Early ORVWs came in a slightly taller bottle with a sharper angle on the shoulder. You can see in the last photo the difference between 1998 (left) and 1994 (right) bottles.
Wild Turkey 12yr Split Label, 750ml, 1998
The 12 year is many people’s favorite in the Wild Turkey lineup. It started with the “Beyond Duplication” bottles in the early 1980s, which was replaced by the “cheesy gold foil” label bottle in the mid-80s, then the split-label in the mid-90s. The export market got the Beyond Duplication and gold foil labels longer than the US market. Finally, the export-only version persisted in a few markets. All are top quality pours.
Wild Turkey Old no 8 Brand, 1.75L, 1998
Wild Turkey 8 year, 101 proof was the staple of the line for decades. Unlike many brands, Wild Turkey kept the age statement and higher proof for a long time, which led to its perception of high quality. The ages started to drop in the 1990s, and the proofs have only recently started to go down. The Old no. 8 Brand replaced the 8 year, in a classic marketing move.
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr “Green Glass” Lawrenceburg, ~1998
This was the first bottling of Pappy 23, with green-tinted glass and bottled in Lawrenceburg, KY.
Old Rip Van Winkle Lottas Home Rye, 13yr, 95.6pf, 1998
A special bottling one for a German importer whose daughter was named Lotta. Photos courtesy of Eric Rueli.