I.W. Harper 34 Year Old

Diageo-owned Stitzel-Weller Distillery has announced the release of an ultra-aged bourbon under the I.W. Harper label, marking the rarest and oldest release in the brand’s 150-year history. The bourbon, aged 34 years, is a blend of just four barrels, all matured at Stitzel-Weller and bottled at cask strength of 63.1% ABV.

I.W. Harper was founded in the 1870s by Isaac Wolfe and Bernard Bernheim in Kentucky. The brand gained popularity quickly, surviving Prohibition as one of the few distilleries licensed to sell medicinal whiskey. It was sold to Schenley Distillers in 1937 and later acquired by United Distillers and then Diageo.

After a 20-year pause, I.W. Harper returned to the U.S. in 2015 with a 15-year-old bourbon. The new 34-year-old is available through global auction at Sotheby’s with only 5 bottles up for bidding, estimated to sell for $3,000-$5,000 each. All proceeds will benefit Native Son, chosen by Colman Domingo, who supports black gay and/or queer men.