Most of you already know. "NDP" - standing for Non Distiller Producer was a subject of major interest, particularly as discussed by Chuck Cowdery and the Straight Bourbon boyz. And why was that? Simply, the lack of transparency. A prime example was Templeton Rye who'd created an amazing story about recreating and distillation of Prohibition era "recipes" alleged to be well known, and emanating from their hometown of Templeton Iowa. They made every attempt to imply the juice was distilled in Templeton. Just one little problem:
It wasn't their recipe and not made by them, but purchased and shipped in from a HUGE industrial operation in Lawrenceburg, Indiana (LDI). LDI is massive, sells no labels of its own, but produces and sells all manner of bulk spirits to the independent fantasy weavers, ie the NDP's. Templeton's deception was so blatant and widespread that for once, a big NDP got into serious trouble with the feds.
Now how 'bout the Frozen One and "Duke" Bourbon?
Yup, once again the FO seems to have gotten his hands on a bottle of bourbon from an NDA whose magical story is really quite amazing:
The Frozen Regurgitator and Monument make every attempt to imply that these "original" recipes are distilled in Lawrenceburg by their own "Duke Spirits" distillery, right?FO: "Monument Valley Distillers call themselves artisan distillers who craft small batches of bourbon, whiskey and brandy. The genesis for the company was a conversation over dinner between founders Ethan Wayne, (son of the epic movie actor, John Wayne) and Jayson Woodbridge and Chris Radomski (vintners of Hundred Acre Wines) in Calistoga, California. The company they created as a result of that conversation (Monument Valley Distillers) is based in California, and it spawned DUKE Spirits which is now tasked with preserving the legacy of Ethan’s father, John Wayne, by creating authentic products bearing his name."
"DUKE* Kentucky Straight Bourbon is distilled in Lawrenceburg Kentucky, and (again according to the website information) is blended from small batches of hand crafted five to ten year old whiskeys which have been aged in new heavily charred American Oak barrels. The resulting bourbon whiskey is bottled at 44 % alcohol by volume."
Let's parse this. The most important claim repeated by the FO? That "Monument Valley Distillers (California based) call themselves artisan distillers who craft small batches of bourbon, whiskey and brandy". The truth? They don't appear to distill or craft anything, rather like hundreds of clever NDP's they simply buy bulk and create the rest of the story. And from whom might that be?
Monument Distillery apparently has set up a sub "distillery" called "Duke Spirits Distillers" in Lawrenceburg KY, but surprisingly (or maybe not) I can't find such a distillery in Lawrenceburg (the home of some famous actual distilleries like Wild Turkey and Four Roses). This would seem to be cover for the likely supplier of "small batch" product - Four Roses - who has ten different "recipes" which they sell in bulk, in various combinations to Diageo (for their Bulleit Bourbon), et al.
Monument, er Duke, does not appear to distill or "craft" anything. No pictures of grain, fermenters, stills or aging barrels - which we'd normally expect from any craft distller worth his salt. Real craft distillers take great pride in their true small batch process; indeed pictures and marketing copy of their small operations are usually highlighted and with justifiable pride. We expect that.
But noooooooo!
Frankly I don't know how any reviewer can let these facts pass without questioning the alleged distiller to back up their claims. Not here. Nope, just regurgitate the romantic story of the "Duke" and the silly notion that his personal stash was somehow recreated by a major supplier of bulk.
It's just all Duked up...
*******
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... stery.html
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2015/0 ... story.html
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... ition.html
http://redwhiteandbourbon.com/2014/04/0 ... e-recipes/
