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Photo libraries, in ascending order by bottling year
Wild Turkey 12yr Split Label, 750ml
The 12 year is many people’s favorite in the Wild Turkey lineup. It started with the “Beyond Duplication” bottles in the early 1980s, which was replaced by the “cheesy gold foil” label bottle in the mid-80s, then the split-label in the mid-90s. The export market got the Beyond Duplication and gold foil labels longer than the US market. Finally, the export-only version persisted in a few markets. All are top quality pours.
Weller Centennial Frankfort, BHC and gold cap
The Weller Centennial came out as a part of the Bourbon Heritage Collection, and originally had Louisville on the label. Later the label changed to Frankfort but kept the BHC logo on the cap, and the final version had Frankfort on the label and only a gold capsule.
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye “B” Lawrenceburg, 2000
The Van Winkle Rye reportedly started as a single-source whiskey, rumored to be Medley distillate. The remaining whiskey stayed in the barrel year after year until it reached 19 years old, at which point it was tanked in stainless steel and mingled with Bernheim (Cream of Kentucky) rye. This bottle would have been 16-year old pre-tank rye with all Medley distillate. For more info see the Van Winkle timeline.
Very Old Fitzgerald / Weller Leatherette Display Boxes
Several Very Old Fitzgerald varieties (as well as Old Fitzgerald 1849 and some Weller bottles) have been found encased in sturdy leatherette display-type cases complete with shot glasses and keys for the locking mechanism. The history seems murky on which bottles came with which boxes originally. I’ve been told that they may have been sold separately from the bottles, and that the design of the case didn’t necessarily match up to a particular whiskey. Another theory is that at some point in the 1960s the boxes were offered with any Old Fitzgerald that was 10 years or older. At some point in the 1970s these were replaced with a simple clear plastic box that contained the bottle.
If anybody has boxes not represented here I’d love photos.
Hirsch Selection 13yr Rye, Lot 00-1, ~2000
This was a rye bottled by Julian Van Winkle for Preiss, and was taken from the same stocks as the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. This later lot would have been the same as a “C”-lettered Van Winkle Rye.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr 107pf Lawrenceburg, ~2001
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year was released in the late 1970s and is still produced today. It was Stitzel-Weller stock until around 2004, when it was Bermheim for a while and eventually Buffalo Trace (with some probably mingling in the transition years). The Lawrenceburg bottles are especially valued, possibly because they were non chill filtered before the move to Buffalo Trace in 2002.
King Kamahameha Bourbon, 6yr, 86pf, 750ml ~2001
This bourbon of questionable (and possibly confusing) branding is a pre-fire Heaven Hill export to Japan.
Photos courtesy of Shawn Ziemann
David Nicholson “1843” Bonded, 2001
Bottled by Luxco of Saint Louis, David Nicholson was originally produced by Stitzel-Weller, but at some point Heaven Hill became the primary supplier. Unfortunately, Luxco continued to label bottles with DSP-KY-16 until some time in the aughts, so there’s no good way of knowing whether the whiskey in the bottle is Stitzel-Weller or Heaven Hill distillate.
Johnny Drum Private Stock 15yr, 101pf
This bottle has no date markings but is likely from the early 2000s.
Bourbon Valley 8yr, 90pf, 750ml – 2001
This was an export bottle for the Japanese market by Heaven Hill.
Photos courtesy of Shawn Ziemann
Old 101, 12yr, 101pf, 750ml, Export – 2001
This was an export bottle for the Japanese market by Heaven Hill.
Photos courtesy of Shawn Ziemann
Michter’s 10yr Single Barrel Bourbon, Lawrenceburg, 94.4pf, Barrel 3
This early bottle of Michter’s 10 year was bottled by Julian Van Winkle, likely in the early 2000s.
Eagle Rare 10/101 “New Orleans” 1.75L
This bottle is odd in that the glass shows 2002, but labels had switch to Frankfort around 1999. The explanation is probably that they were using up old label stock, a provision allowed by the TTB.
Mark Twain 12yr, 80pf, 750ml, Export – 2002
Heaven Hill export bottle for the Japanese Market.
Photos courtesy of Shawn Ziemann
Old Commonwealth Bourbon, 10yr, 107pf, ~2002
Old Commonwealth was a special bottling done by Julian Van Winkle for Sam’s Liquor in Chicago, which was eventually bought out by Binny’s. It was also rumored to have been sold in some northern Indiana stores. It contained the same whiskey as the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year of the same era. Photos courtesy of Eric Rueli.
The Classic Cask Bourbon, Batch GL-107, 17yr, 90.8pf, 1985-2002
Photos courtesy of Michael Aronoff
Posted in Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Tags: 2002, bourbon, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distiller
Tags: 2002, bourbon, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distiller
Old Rip Van Winkle 20yr, 133.4pf, Sam’s Single Barrel – 2003
One of the rarest and most collectable Van Winkle bottles, and one of the very few ever bottled at cask strength, this barrel produced only 60 bottles for Sam’s Wines & Spirits in Chicago (later purchased by Binny’s).
Old Rip Van Winkle Woodside 15yr, Batch B11, 92.4pf, 2003
Bottled by Julian Van Winkle for Woodside Pub in California, one of multiple barrels over several years.
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr, Frankfort No Letter, 2003
This was the second release of the Pappy 23. The first was from Lawrenceburg and had the green-tinted glass, also with no letter before the bottle number. The third release had gold wax and an A before the number.
Posted in Old Rip Van Winkle
Tags: 2003, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Tags: 2003, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Old Rip Van Winkle Blue Smoke 18yr, 92.6pf, ~2003
Blue Smoke was a special bottling done by Julian Van Winkle for the Blue Smoke restaurant in New york. Photos courtesy of Eric Rueli.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 18yr, Binny’s Single Barrel, 121.6pf – 2003
The only single barrel Van Winkle bottled for Binny’s, and one of very few barrel proof Van Winkles ever bottled.
Distilled June 10, 1985 and bottled December 2003.
Weller Centennial 10yr 100pf, Sam’s Single Barrel, 2004
Selected by Sam’s Wines & Spirits, a company which was later bought out by Binny’s.
Pappy Van Winkle 15yr Single Barrel, 2004
One of the relatively rare single barrel bottlings of Pappy 15, bottled for Civic Center Liquor in San Francisco in 2004.
Wild Turkey Tribute 15yr – US Version, 750ml, 2004
According to Jimmy Russell, the only difference between the US and Japanese versions other than packaging was the proof. The US version was 101 proof, and the Japanese 110. However, several people say they are still slightly different when brought to the same proof. The tribute is many people’s favorite Wild Turkey of all time.
The Classic Cask Rye, Batch RW 108, 22yr, 90pf, 1981-2004
Photos courtesy of Michael Aronoff
Posted in Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Tags: 2004, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distillers, rye
Tags: 2004, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distillers, rye
Wild Turkey Tribute 15yr – Japanese edition, 750ml, 2004
According to Jimmy Russell, the only difference between the US and Japanese versions other than packaging was the proof. The US version was 101 proof, and the Japanese 110. However, several people say they are still slightly different when brought to the same proof. The tribute is many people’s favorite Wild Turkey of all time.
Wattie Boone & Sons 15yr Bourbon, 95pf
Bottled for the Japanese market presumably by KBD. Release year unknown.
Pure Antique Bourbon 25yr, 90.2pf
A Japanese export bottling likely done by KBD, though not much is known about this rare bird.
Old Advocate 15yr, 107pf
This private select Old Rip Van Winkle is a one time bottling. The story goes that a few law partners ran into Julian Van Winkle III in a liquor store and expressed an appreciation for his bourbon. Van Winkle is said to have asked them for a small deposit to guarantee their own single barrel of Old Rip Van Winkle with their own private label. It’s said that the law partners are the only ones to receive these bottles making this another very rare bottling of the Van Winkle legacy.
Photos and commentary courtesy of Bourbon Benevolence
Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 10/101, 750ml
Russell’s Reserve 10 year 101 proof was a much-loved product by Wild Turkey, It debuted in 2001, and by 2005 it had been reduced to the less-popular 90 proof version available today. Fans still love the 101 proof version.
George T. Stagg, 2005 Spring Lot A, KY only, 131.8pf
In 2005 there were three different Stagg releases:
-Spring Kentucky-only (Lot A)
-Spring nationwide (Lot B)
-Fall nationwide
The two spring releases are rumored to be the same batch but were released at slightly different proofs due to the proof changing between bottling. Fall was a different batch altogether. Spring Lot A is the hardest version to find.
William Larue Weller, 121.9pf – 2005
Posted in Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Tags: 2005, bourbon, btac, buffalo trace, william larue weller
Tags: 2005, bourbon, btac, buffalo trace, william larue weller
George T. Stagg, 2005 Spring Lot B, 131.8pf
In 2005 there were three different Stagg releases:
-Spring Kentucky-only (Lot A)
-Spring nationwide (Lot B)
-Fall nationwide
The two spring releases are rumored to be the same batch but were released at slightly different proofs due to the proof changing between bottling. Fall was a different batch altogether. Spring Lot A is the hardest version to find.
George T. Stagg, 2005 Fall, 141.2pf
In 2005 there were three different Stagg releases:
-Spring Kentucky-only (Lot A)
-Spring nationwide (Lot B)
-Fall nationwide
The two spring releases are rumored to be the same batch but were released at slightly different proofs due to the proof changing between bottling. Fall was a different batch altogether. Spring Lot A is the hardest version to find.
The Classic Cask Rye, Batch RW-109, 21yr, 90pf, 1983-2005
Photos courtesy of Michael Aronoff
Posted in Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Tags: 2005, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distillers, rye
Tags: 2005, classic cask, kbd, kentucky bourbon distillers, rye
LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, Barrel 1, 2006
Brooklyn liquor store owner LeNell Smothers had four barrels of Bernheim rye bottled by Willett in the 2006-2008 years. This bottle is from the first barrel, #1. According to LeNell’s records, this was distilled on 4/29/83, the same day as the Rathskeller Rye.
Willett 22yr Rye, Doug Phillips “Green Ink” 2006
Selected personally by Doug Phillips and friends, this is the first Willett single barrel rye to be released, and many say the best. The whiskey inside is rumored to have been distilled at Bernheim.
William Larue Weller, 129.9pf – 2006
Posted in Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Tags: 2006, bourbon, btac, buffalo trace, william larue weller
Tags: 2006, bourbon, btac, buffalo trace, william larue weller
Sazerac Rye 90pf, Binny’s Single Barrel, 2007
Posted in Ancient Age - Buffalo Trace
Tags: 2007, binny's, buffalo trace, rye, sazerac, single barrel
Tags: 2007, binny's, buffalo trace, rye, sazerac, single barrel
Wild Turkey American Spirit 15yr, 750ml, 2007
American Spirit was a special edition 15-year bourbon sold in 2007. It’s generally considered to be excellent, but not as desirable as Tribute.
Willett Rye, 23yr, Barrel 11, 137pf, ‘The Velvet Glove’ 2007
The Iron Fist and its sister barrel, The Velvet Glove, were some of the earliest rye picks done by Willett, preceded only by the first Doug’s and Red Hook barrels.
Willett Rye, 23yr, Barrel 11, 137.1pf, ‘The Iron Fist’ 2007
The Iron Fist and its sister barrel, The Velvet Glove, were some of the earliest rye picks done by Willett, preceded only by the first Doug’s and Red Hook barrels.
Parker’s Heritage Collection #1, Cask Strength – 2007
Posted in Parker's Heritage Collection
Tags: 2007, bourbon, heaven hill, parker's heritage collection
Tags: 2007, bourbon, heaven hill, parker's heritage collection
LeNell’s Red Hook Rye, Barrel 2, ~2007
This 132.8 proof, 24 year straight rye picked by LaNell Camacho Santa Ana while running her Brooklyn based package store. Only 216 bottles were pulled out of LaNell’s 24 year old Barrel #2. The 4 barrels that LaNell picked while running her store in New York have become legendary and have been standard bearers for the straight rye whiskey category that has seen incredible growth in recent years. Unopened bottles of this pick are extremely rare.
Photos and commentary courtesy of Bourbon Benevolence.
Willett 15yr Barrel 841, 129.4pf, Whiskey Keller ~2007
Distilled 4/16/92, selected by Heinz Taubenheim.
Willett 11yr Bourbon, Barrel 105, 108.8pf, Whiskey Keller ~2007
Selected by Heinz Taubenheim, Distilled 5/14/1996
Willett 25yr Bourbon, Barrel 8, 90.2pf, ~2007
This bottle was picked by BevMo in California, and nicknamed “Chocolate Monster” by enthusiasts.
Bitter Truth 24yr rye, 2007
German bitters maker Bitter Truth was one of the early recipients of some of the barrel proof Bernheim rye bottled by Willett, along with Doug’s and LeNells.
Willett 16yr Bourbon, Barrel 3706, 124,3pf, ~2007
Selected by Ledroit Brands/Bourbon DC, “The Malt Bomb”
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr, SB.com Single Barrel #2, 2007
Posted in Old Rip Van Winkle
Tags: 2007, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Tags: 2007, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Rathskeller 24yr Rye, 2007
In 2007 the historic Seelbach hotel in downtown Louisville acquired a single barrel bourbon and rye for their hotel bar. A few bottles were sold through local stores too.
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr, KBS Single Barrel C, 2007
Posted in Old Rip Van Winkle
Tags: 2007, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Tags: 2007, bourbon, old rip van winkle, pappy van winkle, stitzel weller
Speakeasy Select Bourbon, 2007
In 2007 the historic Seelbach hotel in downtown Louisville acquired a single barrel bourbon and rye for their hotel bar. A few bottles were sold through local stores too.