Chocolate Rain vs Czar Jack

You told him the right thing. Town Hall growlers do hold up very well, but after having had CJ fresh, and with 1 year, and with 2 years from growlers, there is a small but steady decline which happens over time. It's still outstanding after 1-2 years in the growler, but not as outstanding as fresh. I am a big fan of cellaring in general, so I do not have a bias against the concept, just the result in my personal experiencev with TH growlers.

As far as relative value, I would still take a 1-2 year old growler over a fresh 750 bottle if offered the choice. Ironically, the smaller format may actually increase the perceived trade value due to 750 bottle being a format that many (not all) seem to find more desirable. Hopefully the new bottled/waxed format will prove to hold up better over time than the growlered versions, but only time will tell.

 

I'm printing this and showing him to entice an opening. Hopefully, he doesn't think 64oz of 2011 CJ is equal to 2.5 bottles of 2012 CJ. Thanks.