Spirits $500 - $999

Old Grand Dad 86 proof from 1986 with original vintage presentation box.

The Legend of "National Distillers" High-Rye Spirit

For the "dusty" hunter, the phrase "National Distillers" is synonymous with excellence. This 1986 Old Grand-Dad (OGD) was bottled at the height of the brand’s glory at the Old Grand-Dad Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky (DSP-KY-14).

Unlike modern iterations, the 1980s National Distillers era of OGD is world-renowned for its specific yeast strain and heavy rye mashbill that produced a flavor profile unlike anything else in Kentucky history. This 1986 vintage is one of the final expressions produced under the original ownership before the 1987 acquisition by Beam, making it a high-demand "transition era" bottle.

• The "Orange Foil" Era: This bottle comes from the era where OGD gained its reputation for a unique "butterscotch and citrus" funk. It is widely considered by historians to be a completely different spirit than the modern version.

• The Final Years of DSP-KY-14: By 1987, production moved, and the original stills were eventually silenced. This 1986 bottling captures the raw, unfiltered character of the Frankfort distillery in its final prime years.

• Investment Grade: National Distillers-era bottles have seen some of the highest appreciation in the vintage market. This particular example includes the original presentation box, adding significantly to its display and resale value.

Brand: Old Grand-Dad

Proof: 86 Proof

Vintage Brook Hill dated 1988 from glass mold stamp.  Likely source of distillation is Heaven Hill (pre-fire).

The Holy Grail of "Pre-Fire" Kentucky Spirit

For the serious bourbon historian, the year 1996 marks a tragic dividing line: the Great Heaven Hill Fire. This 1988 vintage Brook Hill was distilled and barreled nearly a decade before that historic blaze destroyed the original Seven Brothers distillery (DSP-KY-31) and its irreplaceable maturing stocks.

Identified by the 1988 glass mold stamp, this expression captures the heavy, oily, and complex character that made "Pre-Fire" Heaven Hill the stuff of legend. While the Brook Hill label has recently been revived by Rare Character, this original 1980s bottling is a true "dusty" relic—a preserved time capsule of 20th-century craftsmanship.

Historical Significance & Collector’s Notes

The Heaven Hill Connection: Brook Hill was a historic label often associated with the Keiler and Friedman families. By the 1980s, the brand was being bottled using premium stocks from Heaven Hill’s original Bardstown site.

The 1988 Glass Code: In the world of vintage spirits, the bottle tells the truth. The "88" embossed on the glass floor confirms this bottle was produced during the peak of Kentucky’s "Glut Era," when some of the finest barrels in history were being diverted into labels like Brook Hill.

Pre-Fire Profile: Unlike modern distillates, bourbon from this era is renowned for a "dusty" funk—a unique combination of butterscotch, old leather, and dense oak spice that resulted from older fermentation styles and different grain sources no longer in use.

Tasting Notes (Vintage Profile)
Nose: Deep, concentrated aromas of antique furniture polish, dark maple syrup, and sun-dried tobacco leaves.

Palate: A velvety, "chewy" mouthfeel characteristic of the era. Rich notes of burnt caramel, holiday spices, and a hint of dark cocoa.

Finish: Exceptionally long and drying, leaving a lingering trail of seasoned oak and sweet pipe tobacco.

Willett Family Estate 12 Year Rye ("Raise The Banner")

116.08 pf

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

134.8 Proof

Batch 5

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

138.8 Proof

Batch 10

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

128.0 Proof

Batch 7

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

132.4 Proof

Batch 4

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

135.6 Proof

Batch 9

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

139.4 Proof

Batch 11

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Old Squat Bottle

139.8 Proof

Batch 8

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond 11-Year-Old VVS 2025  

Rare Character Exceptional Series 13yr Hazmat 

E-TN-153

159.58pf

Old Grand Dad 114pf (Lot 18)

Vintage Old Grand Dad 114pf (OGD 114)

Willett Family Estate "Purple Top" 11 Year Bourbon ("Liquor Barn 2024 #1")

Barrel No.: 4107

Proof: 133.2

Willett Family Estate "Purple Top" 12 Year Bourbon ("The Cobra")

Barrel No.: 2020

Proof: 124.4

The inaugural release is a tribute to history, artistry, and the enduring spirit of craftsmanship. Rested in 300-year-old French oak barrels from the storied Berce Forest, these ancient trees were originally harvested to restore the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following the fire of 2019. Their intricate grain and unparalleled density infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent. The result is a spirit that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, honoring the cultural legacy of France while showcasing the best of American whiskey.

Previous, squat bottle design of the popular wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace

As part of the wheated bourbon family, this twelve year old W.L. Weller is aged far longer than most wheated bourbons. This offering is a smooth, easy-going and balanced bourbon with a beautiful deep bronze color.

Vintage Bourbon Heritage Collection - mini set

This expression is the 5th release of the Cowboy series, made from a mash bill of 74% corn, 15% soft winter wheat, and 11% two-barley. It is matured a minimum of 5 years. This release was bottled in 2019 at 137.3 proof, limited to 6,440 bottles.

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon the American Whiskey of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2014 & 2017 Whisky Bibles. It’s the ultimate ambrosia. Unlike the Small Batch, The Cowboy comes from our Master Distiller and our Founder's favorite barrels. They’re set aside for a couple of years for further maturation and the liquid is bottled at cask-strength, uncut and unfiltered. It takes a special barrel to create a bourbon nectar sweet enough to be enjoyed at such a high proof. The potency normally overpowers the flavor. This ain’t the case with the Cowboy – it’s so sweet, the flavor overpowers its proof. And you can thank the Texas heat for that.