Spirits $500 - $999

I.W. Harper 101 Proof Gold Medal Bourbon (1970's Vintage Edition)

The Bold Icon. 101 Proof Intensity. A Rare Legend of the Bernheim Era.

In the world of vintage "dusty" bourbon, the 101-proof expressions from I.W. Harper are the stuff of legends. While the standard 86 proof was built for the casual sipper, the 101 Proof Gold Medal was engineered for the connoisseur. This is a high-proof time capsule from the mid-to-late 20th century, offering a level of richness, spice, and "old-school" Kentucky muscle that has largely vanished from modern shelves.

The Vintage Profile: High-Proof Heritage

Distilled at the historic Bernheim Distillery during the height of its craftsmanship, the 101 proof expression carries the same elegant, corn-forward sweetness of the brand but delivers it with a concentrated punch. The extra ABV preserves the essential oils and esters, resulting in a significantly "chewier" and more aromatic experience.

• Nose: Intense and inviting. Deep aromas of burnt sugar, maple syrup, and dark cherries. Beneath the sweetness lies the classic vintage notes, a mix of old leather, cigar box, and a hint of herbal mint.

• Palate: Full-bodied and explosive. The 50.5% ABV carries heavy notes of buttery toffee, cinnamon-red-hot candies, and dark cocoa. It possesses a remarkable "viscosity" that coats the palate, showcasing the quality of the grains used decades ago.

• Finish: Long, spicy, and triumphant. A warming waves of charred oak, peppercorn, and vanilla bean that refuses to quit.

The Bourbon Collector's Perspective

The 101 Proof I.W. Harper is increasingly difficult to find, as much of this stock was originally designated for the international export market, particularly Japan, where it became a cult favorite. Finding a well-preserved bottle today is like discovering a lost masterwork. It is the perfect bridge between the approachable Gold Medal profile and the raw power of a cask-strength "dusty."

Product Details:

• Era: Vintage (Circa 1970s - early 1980s)

• Proof: 101 Proof (50.5% ABV)

• Distillery: Bernheim (Schenley Era)

• Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Status: Highly Collectible / Limited Availability

A light amber whisky brought to life with notes of tropical fruits, floral and spice.

The Macallan Fine Oak 17 Years Old forms part of the Fine Oak range and is matured for a minimum of seventeen years in three exceptional oak cask types. This complex combination of casks delivers a flavour profile of exotic notes including tropical fruits, jasmine and citrus.

Willett Family Estate "Purple Top" 10 Year Bourbon

"Selected for Skurnik 2024"

Barrel No.: 4113

Proof: 130.6

Willett Family Estate "Purple Top" 11 Year Bourbon

Barrel No.: 6466

Proof: 121.8

Evan Williams Black Label aged 8 years, bottled in 1998 (pre-fire Heaven Hill). 

Wild Turkey 8 Year 101 from 1984 (glass stamp)

Maker's Mark from 1978

Jack Daniel's Old Number 7 from 1985. 90 Proof. Comes with box. 

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