The fate of Old Charter 10 Year Old is an interesting one. This particular whiskey was discontinued in 2013, much to the disappointment of many fans of the brand. Old Charter 10 Year Old had gained quite a following due to its smooth and well-aged flavor profile.
The decision to discontinue Old Charter 10 Year Old may have been a strategic one by the distillery. Perhaps they felt that they could focus their efforts on other expressions that were more popular or profitable. It's not uncommon for distilleries to discontinue certain products in order to make room for new releases or to streamline their portfolio.
In the case of Old Charter 8 Year Old, the story took a slightly different turn. Rather than being completely discontinued, it was effectively converted into a No Age Statement (NAS) whiskey. This means that all direct references to the age of the whiskey were taken off the label, but the numeral “8” was still kept in the labeling.
The decision to convert Old Charter 8 Year Old into a NAS whiskey is an interesting one and can be seen as a response to the growing trend of NAS whiskies in the industry. NAS whiskies have become more popular in recent years, as distilleries seek to create unique and innovative expressions without being bound by a specific age statement.
However, the conversion of Old Charter 8 Year Old into a NAS whiskey did receive some criticism from whiskey enthusiasts. Many felt that the removal of the age statement was a loss of transparency, as age can play a significant role in the flavor and character of a whiskey.
As a sommelier and brewer, I have always appreciated the transparency of age statements in whiskey. They provide valuable information about the maturation process and can give insight into the potential flavor profile of a whiskey. While NAS whiskies can certainly be enjoyable, there is something special about knowing the exact age of a whiskey and the care that went into its production.
Old Charter 10 Year Old was discontinued in 2013, while Old Charter 8 Year Old was effectively converted into a NAS whiskey. The decision to discontinue or convert certain expressions is not uncommon in the whiskey industry, as distilleries seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market trends. While NAS whiskies have their merits, the loss of age statements can be seen as a loss of transparency for whiskey enthusiasts.