Could it be possible that password is enough to recover wallet or am I missing something?
If we are talking about the original bitcoin wallet, then no.
The wallet file contains private keys and is encrypted with a password. Without the file, the password is useless.
It seems that at that time there were no other alternatives, including a brain wallet.
Perhaps you are confusing the year, or used something very specific.
I suggest you recover hdd data, if it's worth it.
When you say specific what would my options have been at the time for "cold storage" on USB. I checked the brainwallet list with weak passphases list but a. Not enough coins in the wallets b. Words don't match.
Let's say it was a paper wallet or just program that holds the keys...is there a list of those somewhere. I just need to see the right word most of the time to click ie. Kleopatra.
Private & public addresses were definitely encrypted & I wrote either one of both down on a piece of paper. That piece of paper went in a folder with my name on it. There is a possibility it's still around.
Off topic but is the whole PGP key regeneration possible using 8 words & a password. Slowly starting to explore that avenue & "apparently" it's technically possible.
Was $200 AUD at the time. If you were to do the math then check the dormant wallet list there's only one possibility. One in & zero outs. There's small "dust attacks" but when the coins hit the wallet they never moved.