1st Release 2nd Release 3rd Release 4th Release



UK/EU; Asia


US


US; Asia


US; Asia




There were 4 separate bottling dates for the Provenance, but only 3 different ABV versions. The 3rd and 4th releases (same ABV) were bottled on different days, and had overlap in Bottle #'s. If you count the different markets with each release, then there were 7 different editions of the Provenance. I have made "guesstimations" for the Bottle # range based on what I've seen, and any contributions that can clear these up are greatly appreciated.


The 1st release of Provenance was bottled at 55.6% for the UK, EU and Asian markets.



Expression: Provenance

Batch: 1st Release

Vintage: 1974

Bottled: 18 November, 1997

Age: 23

ABV: 55.6%

Bottle Size: 70cl

Cask Type: Bourbon

Number of Bottles: UK/EU ~3600; Asia ~400; Total of ~4000

Bottle # Range: UK: 1-400, 501-700, 2001-5009; Asia: 1001-1400

Bottled for: UK, Europe, Asia

Box: Wooden Presentation Box

Insert/Booklet: Parchment: 18 November, 1997

Front Label: Black; Bottle Number

Back Label: None; Japan Label

Initial Cost: 250 GBP





1st Release UK/EU Front w/box.





1st Release UK/EU Back w/box.





1st Release Asian Front w/box.





1st Release Asian Back w/box.







The 2nd Release of Provenance was bottled at 54.7% for the US market.



Expression: Provenance

Batch: 2nd Release

Vintage: 1974

Bottled: 19 May, 1998

Age: 23

ABV: 54.7%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Cask Type: Bourbon

Number of Bottles: ~1000

Bottle # Range: 401-500, 701-1000, 1401-2000

Bottled for: US

Box: Wooden Presentation Box

Insert/Booklet: Parchment: 9 April, 1998

Front Label: Black; Bottle Number

Back Label: US Government Warning

Initial Cost: 595 USD (*-pricing details)





2nd Release US Front w/box.





2nd Release US Back.







The 3rd Release of Provenance was bottled at 55% for the US and Asian market.



Expression: Provenance

Batch: 3rd Release

Vintage: 1974

Bottled: 29 March, 2000

Age: 25

ABV: 55%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Cask Type: Bourbon

Number of Bottles: ~500

Bottle # Range: 5010-5504

Bottled for: US, Asia

Box: Wooden Presentation Box

Insert/Booklet: Parchment: 29 March, 2000

Front Label: Black; Bottle Number

Back Label: US Gov't Warning; Japan Label

Initial Cost: 595 USD (*-pricing details)





3rd Release US Front w/box.





3rd Release US Back w/box.





3rd Release Asian Back (US Brown-Forman Label w/China Duty Not Paid Label)







The 4th Release of Provenance was bottled at 55% for the US and possibly Asian market. This release has been reported with both "2000" and "21-09-2000" hand written on the bottom front label.

Currently, we have not confirmed an Asian release bottled on this date, but any information is welcome.

NOTE: It seems that the parchment insert date has not always coincided with the bottle date, but once again, more information is needed to confirm these reports.



Expression: Provenance

Batch: 4th Release

Vintage: 1974

Bottled: 20 September, 2000

Age: 25-26

ABV: 55%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Cask Type: Bourbon

Number of Bottles: ~750

Bottle # Range: 5501-6226+

Bottled for: US, Asia

Box: Wooden Presentation Box

Insert/Booklet: Parchment: 21 September, 2000

Front Label: Black; Bottle Number

Back Label: US Gov't Warning; Asian Label

Initial Cost: 595 USD (*-pricing details)






*-Pricing details: Apparently, the first US bottle (54.7%) did not sell as fast as Brown-Forman had hoped, and some cases were even shipped back to the Ardbeg Distillery where they were happily received by UK buyers. I was told these were initially offered at approximately $595, but after slow sales, many stores put them out at reduced price and were even found at blowout sales as low as $300. The US "maltsters" that have relayed these stories to me said the same about the 55% release version, so many of the actual purchase prices were well below the original approximate price of $595.





Bottle Codes for all Releases of Provenance.

Bottle Code Expression Size Market Day Month Year
L 7 322 4ML 14:50 Provenance (55.6) #5009 700 UK 18 November 1997
L 8 139 4ML 15:05 Provenance (54.7) #825 750 US (BF) 19 May 1998
L 8 139 4ML 15:15 Provenance (54.7) #802 750 US (BF) 19 May 1998
L 8 139 4ML 15:17 Provenance (54.7) #1909 750 US (BF) 19 May 1998
L 8 139 4ML 15:41 Provenance (54.7) #915 750 US (BF) 19 May 1998
L 0 089 4ML 1458 Provenance (55) #5474 750 US (BF) 29 March 2000
L 0 089 4ML 1505 Provenance (55) #5504 750 US (BF) 29 March 2000
L 0 264 4ML X604 Provenance (55) #6100 750 US (BF) 20 September 2000
L 0 264 4ML XX54 Provenance (55) #5852 750 US (BF) 20 September 2000





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