A Century of American Whiskey

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon 2003 / Lot No.18

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers era Old Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant.

Lot No.18 is produced exclusively for the Japanese market using a replica of the National Distillers era label.

Old Heaven Hill 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1998

Heaven Hill was established by a group of private investors in 1935, following the repeal of Prohibition a few years earlier. Among the founders was distiller, Joseph L. Beam, and a member of the Shapira family. As the company grew, the Shapira's eventually acquired sole ownership of it, and their descendants still run it today. In a similar dynastic vein, Joe Beam remained master distiller despite the Shapira takeover, and members of his family have occupied the role ever since. This was produced at the Old Heavenhill Springs distillery, later renamed simply as Heaven Hill, which was located in Bardstown, Kentucky. It was sadly lost in a devastating fire in 1996, and bourbon made there has become increasingly sought after as the years pass. The company had no distillery for the next three years, but were permitted to rent stills at Jim Beam and Brown-Forman in order to maintain production. They eventually acquired the newly refurbished Bernheim distillery from Diageo in 1999, which has been their home ever since.

This 10 year old was distilled in Bardstown and bottled in 1998.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Batch Proof 03/03

Introduced in 1870, Old Forester was the founding product of what is now Brown-Forman and is one of America's historic bourbon brands. It was one of the first to be sold only in sealed bottles, in order to ensure quality control to capitalise on the medicinal whiskey trade in the 19th century. It was even named after local Louisville physician, Dr. William Forrester (they dropped the second 'R' from the name when he retired). This early foresight paid dividends when National Prohibition was enacted in 1920, seeing Brown-Forman granted a license to continue making whiskey. It was one of just six, alongside Glenmore, Frankfort Distilleries, Schenley A. Ph. Stitzel and the American Medicinal Spirits Co. In the decades following repeal, Brown-Forman became one of the nation's leading drinks companies, and Old Forester remained its flagship Kentucky brand. Its distillery in Shively is one of the largest in the state, and in 2018 they opened a dedicated Old Forester distillery on Louisville's famous Whiskey Row, doubling their capacity to produce the brand.

Released in 2020, this is the third of three special batch proof releases to celebrate the brand's 150th birthday.

Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond 86 Proof 1970

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers era Old  Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant. 

This is a National Distillers era Bottled in Bond release. This was bottled for export, meaning the requirement for 100 US proof set our by American law did not apply.

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 25 Year Old

The Orphan Barrel brand was devised by Diageo in 2013. The company's previous iteration, United Distillers had been very active in the American whiskey market in the 1980s, however when they became Diageo in 1997, the focus of the company shifted elsewhere. The result was the offloading in 1999 of what are now several prize assets, including the Bernheim distillery to Heaven Hill along with the Old Fitzgerald brand, and the Weller brand to the Sazerac Company. Further to this, believing bourbon to be passed its best beyond the age of 12 years, it offloaded huge quantities of stock from the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, much of which was bottled by what are now hugely sought after independent labels like Very Olde St Nick, Jefferson's Reserve and Pappy Van Winkle. Having given up what is now a veritable who's who of collectible bourbon, it is hardly surprising that the company were keen to reinvest in the booming American whiskey industry of the 2000s. The Orphan Barrel series was intended to tap into that same collectors market, making use of the stock retained from their former (and occasionally current) distillery portfolio across the US and Canada, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s had consolidated the empires of two of the biggest post-Prohibition distillers in Schenley and Seagram.

This is part of the Rhetoric series, which Diageo bottled between 2014 and 2019. Beginning with a 20 year old, each release was intended to show the subtle differences produced by a further year of maturation on the same stock of whiskey. 

This is the final iteration, bottled in 2019. The whisky was distilled at Bernheim, but like all Orphan Barrel releases, was bottled at Cascade Hollow distillery in Tennessee.

Old Charter 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1970s

Old Charter is a pre-Prohibition bourbon brands created by the Chapeze brothers in the late 19th century. At the close of Prohibition in 1933, the brand was bought by the Bernheim distillery, which later became part of the Schenley empire in 1937. Schenley were one of the \"big four\" distilling companies that emerged in the post-repeal landscape, alongside Seagram, National Distillers and Hiram Walker. Production of Old Charter remained at Bernheim for most of that century, and was considered one of the company's prize assets. In fact, it was initially Old Charter that original Age International bosses, Ferdie Falke and Bob Baranaskas, had attempted to buy from Schenley, who offered them George T. Stagg (now Buffalo Trace) instead. When Schenley were bought by United Distillers in 1987, their subsequent iteration (Diageo) eventually divested from bourbon and Old Charter was sold along with the Weller brand to the Sazerac company.

This is an old 1980s bottle, produced by Schenley at Bernheim distillery.

Bernheim is a historic Kentucky distillery. It was established by the Bernheim Brothers in the late 19th century, before passing into the hands of the Schenley company following the repeal of Prohibition. When Schenley were bought over by United Distillers in 1987, the distillery was rebuilt as the new owners looked to consolidate their production to a single facility. Diageo's later divestment from bourbon saw the distillery sold to Heaven Hill in 1999.

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon 1986 / Lot No.17 - Collection Only

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers era Old Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant.

This 1986 bottling of the 114 proof was one of the final National Distillers-era bottlings.

This bottle is leaking and is offered here only for collection from our offices in Perth, Scotland.

Old Carter Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Batch #7

The Old Carter brand was the brainchild of Mark and Sherri Carter, who produce Napa Valley wines under the name Carter Cellars. The whiskey is sourced from MGP and here bottled at barrel strength.

The history of MGP distillery has its roots in th emid-19th century, however it is best known for its association to Seagram, who purchased it at the close of Prohibtiion in 1933. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the distillery provided whiskey and grain neutral spirits for many of the Canadian distilling giants products for the rest of the 20th century. When an ill-advised move into the entertainment industry saw Seagram collapse in the early 2000s, much of their assets, including the Lawrenceburg distillery were bought up by Pernod-Ricard. They announced in 2006 that they intended to close it, however ended up selling it instead to a holding company in Trinidad called CL Financial. They renamed it LDI (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana). It was not long however before the new owners would go bust as well, and the distillery was again sold, this time to MGP Ingredients, who renamed it in the process. The company produced and markets some of its own brands, but its main line of business is a huge contract-distilling operation. Among these are a number of well-regarded grain recipes, and several bourbons. Among its biggest customers are Diageo, and former owners, Pernod-Ricard, alongside a extensive list of independent boutique brands.

One of 1529 bottles.

Old Carter Barrel Strength Straight Rye Batch #9

The Old Carter brand was the brainchild of Mark and Sherri Carter, who produce Napa Valley wines under the name Carter Cellars. The whiskey is sourced from MGP and here bottled at barrel strength.

The history of MGP distillery has its roots in th emid-19th century, however it is best known for its association to Seagram, who purchased it at the close of Prohibtiion in 1933. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the distillery provided whiskey and grain neutral spirits for many of the Canadian distilling giants products for the rest of the 20th century. When an ill-advised move into the entertainment industry saw Seagram collapse in the early 2000s, much of their assets, including the Lawrenceburg distillery were bought up by Pernod-Ricard. They announced in 2006 that they intended to close it, however ended up selling it instead to a holding company in Trinidad called CL Financial. They renamed it LDI (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana). It was not long however before the new owners would go bust as well, and the distillery was again sold, this time to MGP Ingredients, who renamed it in the process. The company produced and markets some of its own brands, but its main line of business is a huge contract-distilling operation. Among these are a number of well-regarded grain recipes, and several bourbons. Among its biggest customers are Diageo, and former owners, Pernod-Ricard, alongside a extensive list of independent boutique brands.

One of 1799 bottles.

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 21 Year Old

The Orphan Barrel brand was devised by Diageo in 2013. The company's previous iteration, United Distillers had been very active in the American whiskey market in the 1980s, however when they became Diageo in 1997, the focus of the company shifted elsewhere. The result was the offloading in 1999 of what are now several prize assets, including the Bernheim distillery to Heaven Hill along with the Old Fitzgerald brand, and the Weller brand to the Sazerac Company. Further to this, believing bourbon to be passed its best beyond the age of 12 years, it offloaded huge quantities of stock from the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, much of which was bottled by what are now hugely sought after independent labels like Very Olde St Nick, Jefferson's Reserve and Pappy Van Winkle. Having given up what is now a veritable who's who of collectible bourbon, it is hardly surprising that the company were keen to reinvest in the booming American whiskey industry of the 2000s. The Orphan Barrel series was intended to tap into that same collectors market, making use of the stock retained from their former (and occasionally current) distillery portfolio across the US and Canada, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s had consolidated the empires of two of the biggest post-Prohibition distillers in Schenley and Seagram.

This is part of the Rhetoric series, which Diageo bottled between 2014 and 2019. Beginning with a 20 year old, each release was intended to show the subtle differences produced by a further year of maturation on the same stock of whiskey. 

This is the second iteration, bottled in 2015. The whisky was distilled at Bernheim, but like all Orphan Barrel releases, was bottled at Cascade Hollow distillery in Tennessee.

Old Carter Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Batch #8

The Old Carter brand was the brainchild of Mark and Sherri Carter, who produce Napa Valley wines under the name Carter Cellars. The whiskey is sourced from MGP and here bottled at barrel strength.

The history of MGP distillery has its roots in th emid-19th century, however it is best known for its association to Seagram, who purchased it at the close of Prohibtiion in 1933. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the distillery provided whiskey and grain neutral spirits for many of the Canadian distilling giants products for the rest of the 20th century. When an ill-advised move into the entertainment industry saw Seagram collapse in the early 2000s, much of their assets, including the Lawrenceburg distillery were bought up by Pernod-Ricard. They announced in 2006 that they intended to close it, however ended up selling it instead to a holding company in Trinidad called CL Financial. They renamed it LDI (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana). It was not long however before the new owners would go bust as well, and the distillery was again sold, this time to MGP Ingredients, who renamed it in the process. The company produced and markets some of its own brands, but its main line of business is a huge contract-distilling operation. Among these are a number of well-regarded grain recipes, and several bourbons. Among its biggest customers are Diageo, and former owners, Pernod-Ricard, alongside a extensive list of independent boutique brands.

One of 1971 bottles.

Orphan Barrel Rhetoric 24 Year Old

The Orphan Barrel brand was devised by Diageo in 2013. The company's previous iteration, United Distillers had been very active in the American whiskey market in the 1980s, however when they became Diageo in 1997, the focus of the company shifted elsewhere. The result was the offloading in 1999 of what are now several prize assets, including the Bernheim distillery to Heaven Hill along with the Old Fitzgerald brand, and the Weller brand to the Sazerac Company. Further to this, believing bourbon to be passed its best beyond the age of 12 years, it offloaded huge quantities of stock from the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, much of which was bottled by what are now hugely sought after independent labels like Very Olde St Nick, Jefferson's Reserve and Pappy Van Winkle. Having given up what is now a veritable who's who of collectible bourbon, it is hardly surprising that the company were keen to reinvest in the booming American whiskey industry of the 2000s. The Orphan Barrel series was intended to tap into that same collectors market, making use of the stock retained from their former (and occasionally current) distillery portfolio across the US and Canada, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s had consolidated the empires of two of the biggest post-Prohibition distillers in Schenley and Seagram.

This is part of the Rhetoric series, which Diageo bottled between 2014 and 2019. Begininning with a 20 year old, each release was intended to show the subtle differences produced by a further year of maturation on the same stock of whiskey. 

This is the fifth iteration, bottled in 2018. The whisky was distilled at Bernheim, but like all Orphan Barrel releases, was bottled at Cascade Hollow distillery in Tennessee.

Old Carter Barrel Strength Straight Rye Batch #8

The Old Carter brand was the brainchild of Mark and Sherri Carter, who produce Napa Valley wines under the name Carter Cellars. The whiskey is sourced from MGP and here bottled at barrel strength.

The history of MGP distillery has its roots in th emid-19th century, however it is best known for its association to Seagram, who purchased it at the close of Prohibtiion in 1933. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the distillery provided whiskey and grain neutral spirits for many of the Canadian distilling giants products for the rest of the 20th century. When an ill-advised move into the entertainment industry saw Seagram collapse in the early 2000s, much of their assets, including the Lawrenceburg distillery were bought up by Pernod-Ricard. They announced in 2006 that they intended to close it, however ended up selling it instead to a holding company in Trinidad called CL Financial. They renamed it LDI (Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana). It was not long however before the new owners would go bust as well, and the distillery was again sold, this time to MGP Ingredients, who renamed it in the process. The company produced and markets some of its own brands, but its main line of business is a huge contract-distilling operation. Among these are a number of well-regarded grain recipes, and several bourbons. Among its biggest customers are Diageo, and former owners, Pernod-Ricard, alongside a extensive list of independent boutique brands.

Old Weller Antique Original 107 Brand 2014 1 Litre

William Larue Weller was born into a distilling family in Kentucky in 1825, and launched his W.L. Weller brand in 1849. Originally a rectification business (creating 'whiskey' using neutral spirit, colouring and flavourings), this all changed with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 and the death of Weller two years later. The company was left in the hands of the fiercely passionate Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle I who, having steered it safely through the wreckage of National Prohibition, established Old Weller alongside the newly acquired Old Fitzgerald labels and the flagship brands for the new Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1933. It was produced there for over 60 years, eventually being sold to the Sazerac Company in 1999, who distil it at Buffalo Trace using Pappy's recipe to this day.

This Buffalo Trace version predates the 2016 rebrand of the range, which saw the \"Old\" prefix dropped from the packaging along with the 7 year age statement for this product. In her book But Always Fine Bourbon, Sally Van Winkle Campbell claims that Sazerac did not have the exact Weller recipe until their partnership with her brother, Julian Van Winkle III was agreed in 2002. Undoubtedly a nod of approval from the family for the modern day product.

A historic distillery, Buffalo Trace was built in 1812 Harrison Blanton. It was then purchased by the legendary Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr in 1870, who named it OFC (Old Fashioned Copper) and invested heavily in its modernisation. So much so in fact that he declared himself bankrupt after just seven years, and George T. Stagg stepped in to rescue it, becoming its owner in 1878. He ran the distillery until his retirement in the 1890s, and it was renamed in his honour in 1904. Having survived Prohibition, it was bought up by the Schenley company in 1933, who ran it as part of their extensive portfolio for the next fifty years, eventually selling it to Age International. The latter's new Japanese ownership in 1992 had no interest in it (only in its brands), and immediately sold it to the Sazerac company, who renamed it Buffalo Trace in 1999.

Old Fitzgerald '1849' Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2008

Originally registered as \"Jno. E. Fitzgerald,\" the Old Fitzgerald brand was devised by S.C. Hebst in 1870. Hebst was a rectifier by trade (using grain neutral spirit with colouring and flavourings to make \"whiskey\"), but he also had a passion for sourcing high quality barrels of pot still bourbon and rye, which he bottled as Jno. E. Fitzgerald. When the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was passed, rectified whiskey fell out of favour and Hebst went into the distilling business, purchasing a distillery which he named Old Judge after his best-selling flagship brand. Old Judge did not survive Prohibition however, and Hebst sold the Old Fitzgerald brand for just $10,000 to a former customer, a certain Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, who was sourcing label for his new Stitzel-Weller venture. Van Winkle had a near-religious belief in the importance of quality above all else in the bourbon he produced and under his guidance, Old Fitzgerald became and remains to this day, one of the most sought-after and respected labels in American whiskey. Stitzel-Weller was eventually shut down by United Distillers, and as their successor, Diageo, sold the Old Fitzgerald brand was sold to current owners, Heaven Hill.

While under his management, 'Pappy' Van Winkle refused to bottle Old Fitzgerald at anything less than the domestic requirement of 100 proof, set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. When he stepped back from management in 1964 however, the board put pressure on Julian II to meet the market demand for a lighter style product, and Old Fitzgerald Prime was launched later that year. This label was introduced in the early 1970s and is named 1849 after the year in which W.L. Weller & Sons was founded. This is the Heaven Hill version, distilled at Bernheim and bottled in 2008.

Bernheim is a historic Kentucky distillery. It was established by the Bernheim Brothers in the late 19th century, before passing into the hands of the Schenley company following the repeal of Prohibition. When Schenley were bought over by United Distillers in 1987, the distillery was rebuilt as the new owners looked to consolidate their production to a single facility. When United Distillers became Diageo in 1997, the new parent company were interested in bourbon, and sold the distillery to Heaven Hill. Heaven Hill were established in 1935, but their long-serving Bardstown distillery was lost in a devastating fire in 1996. Homeless for three years, the company acquired Bernheim in 1999, and have produced all of their whiskey there ever since.

Old Weller Antique Original 107 Brand 2016

William Larue Weller was born into a distilling family in Kentucky in 1825, and launched his W.L. Weller brand in 1849. Originally a rectification business (creating 'whiskey' using neutral spirit, colouring and flavourings), this all changed with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 and the death of Weller two years later. The company was left in the hands of the fiercely passionate Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle I who, having steered it safely through the wreckage of National Prohibition, established Old Weller alongside the newly acquired Old Fitzgerald labels and the flagship brands for the new Stitzel-Weller distillery in 1933. It was produced there for over 60 years, eventually being sold to the Sazerac Company in 1999, who distil it at Buffalo Trace using Pappy's recipe to this day.

This Buffalo Trace version predates the 2016 rebrand of the range, which saw the \"Old\" prefix dropped from the packaging along with the 7 year age statement for this product. In her book But Always Fine Bourbon, Sally Van Winkle Campbell claims that Sazerac did not have the exact Weller recipe until their partnership with her brother, Julian Van Winkle III was agreed in 2002. Undoubtedly a nod of approval from the family for the modern day product.

A historic distillery, Buffalo Trace was built in 1812 Harrison Blanton. It was then purchased by the legendary Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr in 1870, who named it OFC (Old Fashioned Copper) and invested heavily in its modernisation. So much so in fact that he declared himself bankrupt after just seven years, and George T. Stagg stepped in to rescue it, becoming its owner in 1878. He ran the distillery until his retirement in the 1890s, and it was renamed in his honour in 1904. Having survived Prohibition, it was bought up by the Schenley company in 1933, who ran it as part of their extensive portfolio for the next fifty years, eventually selling it to Age International. The latter's new Japanese ownership in 1992 had no interest in it (only in its brands), and immediately sold it to the Sazerac company, who renamed it Buffalo Trace in 1999.

Old Lewis Hunter 6 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1974

This is an old pre-prohibition brand of bourbon, here bottled in the 1970s by then-owners, Seagram, at their distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

Imported to the Italian market.

Old Cooper 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2005

This 12 year old Kentucky straight bourbon was produced for the Japanese market by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 2005.

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers are the owners of the Willett distillery in Bardstown. Willett distillery was built in 1936, just a few years after the repeal of National Prohibition by Lambert Willett, a former distiller for Max Selliger & Co. The distillery was initially a success, principally through its Old Bardstown and Johnny Drum brands, however it was hit hard by the bourbon slump of the 1970s. The result was an ill-advised move into producing ethanol for the production of \"gasohol,\" spurred by the 1979 energy crises. When that market re-stabilised, Willett was left floundering and eventually closed in the early 1980s. Lambert's granddaughter, Martha Willett and her husband, Even Kulsveen, then purchased the distillery and established Kentucky Bourbon Distillers in 1984. They originally bottled the remaining barrels of 1970s-distilled stock, however as that gradually diminished, they began sourcing barrels from other producers in order to replenish it, becoming one of the most important independent bottlers in Kentucky. The majority of their barrels were believed to have come from neighbouring Heaven Hill, and with these casks they developed a wealth of important brands, including the Willett Family Estate, Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. In addition, they contract-bottled brands for other companies, such as the Very Olde St Nick and Black Maple Hill brands. Revered for the quality of their whiskey, their products have become some of the most collectible to come out of Kentucky. One January 21st, 2012, the company re-opened Willett distillery, and have been slowly replenishing its warehouses with its own whiskey ever since.

Old Fitzgerald 1962 Bottled in Bond 6 Year Old 100 Proof Miniature / Stitzel-Weller

Originally registered as \"Jno. E. Fitzgerald,\" the Old Fitzgerald brand was devised by S.C. Hebst in 1870. Hebst was a rectifier by trade (using grain neutral spirit with colouring and flavourings to make \"whiskey\"), but he also had a passion for sourcing high quality barrels of pot still bourbon and rye, which he bottled as Jno. E. Fitzgerald. When the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 was passed, rectified whiskey fell out of favour and Hebst went into the distilling business, purchasing a distillery which he named Old Judge after his best-selling flagship brand. Old Judge did not survive Prohibition however, and Hebst sold the Old Fitzgerald brand for just $10,000 to a former customer, a certain Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle, who was sourcing label for his new Stitzel-Weller venture. Van Winkle had a near-religious belief in the importance of quality above all else in the bourbon he produced and under his guidance, Old Fitzgerald became and remains to this day, one of the most sought-after and respected labels in American whiskey. Stitzel-Weller was eventually shut down by United Distillers, and as their successor, Diageo, sold the Old Fitzgerald brand was sold to current owners, Heaven Hill.

This is the 6 year old Old Fitzgerald, distilled at Stitzel-Weller in 1962 and bottled in 1968. These Van Winkle era bottlings from Stitzel-Weller are incredibly sought after.

The Stitzel-Weller company was officially established in 1933 at the repeal of National Prohibition in the US. It was the result of a merger between the A. Ph. Stitzel distillery and its biggest customer, W.L. Weller & Sons. The Stitzel-Weller distillery opened on Kentucky Derby day in 1935, and quickly developed a reputation for its high quality wheated bourbon, and its main brands were Old Weller, Old Fitzgerald and Cabin Still. The original ownership was shared between Alex T. Farnsley, Arthur Philip Stitzel and Julian Van Winkle. The former passed-away in 1941 and 1947, respectively, leaving the Van Winkle family as the sole heirs to the business. 'Pappy' died in 1965, having handed the reigns to his son, Julian II the year prior, who ran it until 1972 when the board of directors forced him to sell it to the Norton-Simon subsidiary, Somerset Imports. When they were bought over by the American arm of Scottish distillers, DCL, its subsequent iteration invested heavily in bourbon. So much so in fact, that their newly rebuilt Bernheim distillery had such capacity that Stitzel-Weller was rendered surplus to requirements. It was shut down in 1992. Still part of the Diageo portfolio, it has never re-opened and instead now houses the visitor experience for their Bulleit brand.

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon 2017 / Lot No.1

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers era Old  Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant. 

Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof Bourbon 2017 / Lot No.1

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers-era Old Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant. 

Old Grand-Dad 1958 Bottled in Bond 75 Imperial Proof Miniature

The stories behind America's bourbon brands are some of the greatest in whisky history, and no other traces the narrative of Kentucky distilling as closely as Old Grand-dad. Bourbon historian Chuck Cowdery describes the brand's story as \"one of the richest in bourbon country,\" with distilling dynasties such as the Beam, Dant, Hayden, Taylor, Medley and Wathen families all having a hand in its production over the years.

The original old Grand-dad was Basil Hayden, who's second generation descendents named their primary brand in his honour (he still features on the label today). They built the original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station, not far from where Jim Beam's Clermont distillery now sits today. They bought the Hobbs Station distillery its brands in 1899, and developed a successful business out of it. Even with the Prohibition Act looming on the horizon, the Wathen family were shrewd, and re-organised their company as the American Medicinal Spirits Co. This allowed them to exploit a loophole in the Prohibition laws, which had banned the production and sale of alcohol, but permitted the continued bottling of whiskey for medicinal purposes and as a weekly baker's ration. Otto Wathen consolidated much of Kentucky's distilling, filling his warehouses with bonded stock and acquiring brands such as Hill & Hill, Bourbon de Luxe and Old Crow.

The AMS Co were eventually bout over by National Distillers, who went on to become one of the biggest post-repeal distilling companies in the US. The original Old Grand-dad distillery at Hobbs Station never re-opened after Prohibition however, with National Distillers buying what is the more familiar Old Grand-dad distillery in Frankfort in 1933. It and National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who produced this at Clermont, a return (almost) to its spiritual home. The National Distillers era Old  Grand-dad distillery is now a Beam bottling plant. 

This miniatures tax strip states that the whiskey was distilled in the Fall of 1958 and bottled in the Fall of 1963. It was bottled in bond for export at 75 British proof.

Old Ezra 7 Year Old 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2016

A barrel strength Bourbon produced at Heaven Hill on behalf of Luxco.

The brand takes its name from the Ezra Brooks label, historically produced by the Ripy brothers at Hoffman distillery before they sold it to Julian Van Winkle III.  The label is perhaps best known for having been taken to court of copycat accusations by Jack Daniel's in the 1960s, with similarities in everything from the bottle and label to the (square/ black and white) tot he advertising slogans (\"there isn't quite enough to go around\" vs. \"there just ain't enuf to go around\").

Luxco was established as the David Sherman Corporation in 1958 by David Sherman Sr. and Paul A. Lux. David Sherman was one of the many companies that profited from the initial United Distillers investment and subsequent Diageo divestment in bourbon, acquiring the Ezra Brooks brand from United Distillers in 1993 after they closed down the Medley distillery where it was made to focus on Bernheim and its brands. They then later added the struggling Rebel Yell and David Nicholson brands (both formerly produced at the legendary Stitzel-Weller) in 1999 and 2000, the result of Diageo selling Bernheim to Heaven Hill and looking to offload its other unwanted brands. The company was renamed Luxco in 2006 and has successfully rejuvenated both the images and reputations of the historic brands that it now markets. Initially without a distillery and contracting production to Heaven Hill, they opened the Lux Row distillery in Kentucky in 2018.

Old Ezra 7 Year Old Barrel Strength

Luxco was established as the David Sherman Corporation in 1958 by David Sherman Sr. and Paul A. Lux. David Sherman was one of the many companies that profited from the initial United Distillers investment and subsequent Diageo divestment in bourbon, acquiring the Ezra Brooks brand from United Distillers in 1993 after they closed down the Medley distillery where it was made to focus on Bernheim and its brands. They then later added the struggling Rebel Yell and David Nicholson brands (both formerly produced at the legendary Stitzel-Weller) in 1999 and 2000, the result of Diageo selling Bernheim to Heaven Hill and looking to offload its other unwanted brands. The company was renamed Luxco in 2006 and has successfully rejuvenated both the images and reputations of the historic brands that it now markets. Initially without a distillery and contracting production to Heaven Hill, they opened the Lux Row distillery in Kentucky in 2018. In early 2021 it was announced that Luxco would be acquired by MGP, who’s Indiana distillery will provide it with whiskey for its brands until the 1m litre capacity Lux Row has enough mature stock to be fully self-sustaining.

Launched in the autumn of 2018, this 7 year old was distilled at Heaven Hill and bottled at barrel proof.

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Miniature 1970s

Introduced in 1870, Old Forester was the founding product of what is now Brown-Forman and is one of America's historic bourbon brands. It was one of the first to be sold only in sealed bottles, in order to ensure quality control to capitalise on the medicinal whiskey trade in the 19th century. It was even named after local Louisville physician, Dr. William Forrester (they dropped the second 'R' from the name when he retired). This early foresight paid dividends when National Prohibition was enacted in 1920, seeing Brown-Forman granted a license to continue making whiskey. It was one of just six, alongside Glenmore, Frankfort Distilleries, Schenley A. Ph. Stitzel and the American Medicinal Spirits Co. In the decades following repeal, Brown-Forman became one of the nation's leading drinks companies, and Old Forester remained its flagship Kentucky brand. Its distillery in Shively is one of the largest in the state, and in 2018 they opened a dedicated Old Forester distillery on Louisville's famous Whiskey Row, doubling their capacity to produce the brand.