For the Pyrat Cask experts, please help ID this find

[1967cougar]

Was driving home for lunch today and dropped in a liquor store that I've always seen but never stopped by. A nice high end place and found a Pyrat cask 23 (my favorite) on shelf. The hand label on bottle reads 04-3527 and label on box says release 17-03-04 which I assume is an March 17, 2004 bottling. Shows sms as distributor. I know that patron now distributes pyrat and has an updated (read cheaper) storage box. This one came in the older Oak finish slider box with the HOTI ornament attached to box. I've only ever tasted the later patron issued versions. I'm thinking the one I bought last night is the more desirable version in terms of taste and rarity. Can someone confirm my suspicions??

thanks
Dennis

[erickaye]

I can confirm that my Patron issued bottle has neither a hand label nor a label on the box. I don't know the difference in taste or desirability, but I'd say you definitely have one of the older bottles. Now if you also tell me that it was only $75, then I'd really be upset....

[1967cougar]

I wish I can say 75. I had it out the door for 220. Goes right to the top of the food chain on the bar, its going to make the scotches a wee bit jealous.

[Spun_cookie]

That is the best of the Cask 23.... Pick that puppy up or let me know if I can have it... The newer version is not as deep or ritch...

Nice find ... very nice find

[Bluehammer]

Confirmed. You have the more "original" version. When Patron took over distribution they also relabeled the product to Cask 1623 instead of just 23 and made other package adjustments. The change was sometime in 2005 by my records (I am thinking August or so). There have not been too many side by side taste tests with this one due to the high price. But I assume the blend changed throughout the whole Pyrat line when Patron took over.

[1967cougar]

thanks guys for the confirmations. I think I'll try to hold off opening it as long as possible. I suspect my other pyrat xo bottles will have to suffice. I would hate to ruin it by opening it. hell of a conundRUM?

[sailor22]

Don't hold off opening it - it's good juice and better than the current stuff so enjoy it. Look for older the XO too, I think it is also much better than the current stuff.

[RumInTheMorning]

I have 2 bottles of the original 1 has a number of 00-939 im assuming its from 2000 and the 939th bottle . However I have another bottle with a different signature of MC with number 2731 the seller claimed it was the first batch of 3000 bottles.

Im not sure the 04 means it was from 2004 but Im not sure.
If your bottle has yellow ribbons and has whit labels
with pyrat written in yellow then its is the old version which
is a hell of lot better than the new patron mass produced
stuff.

Its like anything that becomes succesfull. It gets mass produced
and the wuality goes down. The original is way better

[saltgrassbear]

I followed a lead today and also found a bottle of Cask 23, serial #, 0195 MC

It supposedly has been sitting in this store for 8 to 10 years. Had to pick it up. Any ideas on the year?

SGB

[Gray]

I followed a lead today

Followed a lead?? That's some good sleuthing. The only lead I had was to a bottle the seller wanted $400 for :(. Had to pass, unfortunately.

[saltgrassbear]

The original price was 229.00 but I talked him down to 185.00. After the transaction was completed, I thanked him and explained more about this rum. It's amazing how many small privately owned stores are hidden in remote areas that contain these fine jewels. Now If I can just find a bottle of Wray&Nephew 17 year tucked off at an estate sale or small store. I just loves to hunt for RUM.


SGB