With the Times

[Sally Toms]

Traditional bourbon Early Times has been repackaged for the first time in more than a decade. Its new label is designed to set it apart from other bourbons.

[old rarity]

My understanding is Early Times is not a technically a "bourbon" because it is partly aged in reused charred barrels. This at any rate is stated in Charles K. Cowdery's excellent new book, "Bourbon, Straight". Sometimes the export version of a brand varies from what is available domestically. Possibly (Mr. Cowdery does not say) Early Times in export markets such the U.K. is available as a true bourbon, but the domestic (U.S) article is not a bourbon as far as I know and is identified only as "whisky" on the label. None of this detracts from its merits: Early Times is excellent American whisky and particularly good (in my view) for mixing with cola and in other cocktails.