A. H. Hirsch 19 Year Old (?)

[Paradox]

I happened upon a place that had one bottle of AH Hirsch, and it was listed as being a 19 year old. Now I have never heard of a 19 year Hirsch so I was sceptical. I was told that it was acquired through an estate sale or auction and it was a limited release type thing back in the 90's for either PA only or speciality shops on the east coast... I was assured after continuous questioning that it was a bourbon, pot distilled, and after the label being read to me I was sure it was a Hirsch bourbon. Being the bourbon junkie I am I said the hell with it, let me grab it.

Well it arrived today and it is indeed the Hirsch we know, distilled in the Spring of 1974, but 19 years old. It shares a label similiar to the 20 year old but it is a bit smaller, more yellow tinted, and instead of saying 'finest reserve' it simply says 'reserve'. Also to be noted, it is a bit higher proof than the 16 and 20 YO versions we are all familiar with. The 16 and 20 YO expressions we know of are 91.6 proof, this bottle is 93.0 proof. For my question, I'm wondering if anyone on here has any more info on this strange 19 year old bottling.

[Gillman]

Very, very interesting. Perhaps a "beta" version of the Hirsch 20 year old??

I assume this is from the same 1974 Michter's that ended as Hirsch 16 or 20 year old. It should, like those, be very fine.

A true collector's piece, I have never seen or heard of this iteration of Michter's 1974 via Mr. Hirsch.

Gary

[Barrel_Proof]

If legitimate--and I have no reason to believe it not--you have scored a rarity to end all bourbon rarities there Mark. Hats off to you!

[cowdery]

A very nice find. Congratulations.

See if the bottle has a date stamped into the bottom. I predict it will be 1994, the year in which a bourbon born in 1974 turns 19. My guess is that the Hirsch folks were testing the concept and decided to hold this batch one more year.

Curiously, if the 16 year old also is from 1974, that means they dumped it in 1990. I find this interesting. It suggests some of the whiskey was dumped in 1990, some in 1994 and the balance in 1995. Was that an assessment of the whiskey or the market? Did they perhaps acquire lots at different times?

[jvanwinkle]

Mark:

What color wax is on that bottle? Is there a pull tab in the back?

I think it's a counterfeit. Where did you buy it? I don't remember bottling that whiskey in 1993. As a matter of fact, I don't think we bottled a 19-year Hirsch at all! Is there a warning label on the back. Shoot me a photo of the back also. Call the cops!

Julian

[Paradox]

Hi Julian,

I'm in KY right now (hope to see you tonight at the gazebo!) but will send you one once I get back home. The wax is red, not sure about the pull tab, and the govt warning sticker on the back of the bottle is towards the top and is a curved sticker to sort of wrap around the neck a bit better. I'll tell you the label was VERY professionaly done if it is a fake.

While here I did hear that it is very very possible that you did not bottle this and in fact it was the very first bottling of hirsch done by Michter's for PA only... As soon as I do get home, I will be sure to send you more photo's Julian. I should have brought it here with me...

And I like your Old Rip Van Winkle Golf Shirts, just got one at the Buffalo Trace booth!

[Blackkeno]

Julian, I had no idea you bottled Hirsch! I thought you only released most of the great bourbon, I had no idea you released ALL of it.

[Nokia]

Whatever happened with this bottle? Is it a fake?

[Paradox]

I was speaking to Julian via email sometime ago, but he was in Italy and could not write much. I sent him about 6 photos of the bottle showing the label very closely, the wax seal with the pull tab, the govt warning on the back label, and various markings on the bottle itself. Last email I received from him he said that he does in fact think he bottled it. He said when he gets back he will check his records and try and verify it. I have not heard from him as of yet, and do not want to seem like I am pestering him haha. So I am sure when he sees these posts he will get in touch with me again and I'll let everyone know the final verdict. I will say this, I seriously doubt it is a fake as their is not much profit to be had from faking a bottle such as this, or any newer bottle of bourbon for that matter, but that is my opinion. As well, the quality of the label and printing that went into it such as the gold foil inlays etc cost alot and I just don't see a point to doing it...

[Nokia]

By a happy coincidence, I found a reference to this 19-year-old in Jim Murrays' "The Complete Guide to Whiskey" (1997). As he begins to describe the 20-year-old, there is a small note that this description also extends to "old bottles of the 19-year-old".

[Paradox]

Thanks for the info on that one. Glad to see that there is at least a reference to its existence out there...

[jvanwinkle]

Sorry Guys & Gals-False Alarm

We did bottle a few cases of the 19-year Hirsch in early 1993.About 120 cases.

It was a one-time bottling and I seem to have deleted from my feeble brain.

Julian

[Paradox]

Julian, Thanks for looking that up, I appreciate it. With all the bottlings you do I am sure it is easy to forget bottling something that is still only a mere 120 cases. I'm jsut glad to have proof it is authentic!

[Marvin]

Mark,

Told you so!! But I am so glad you got confirmation from Julian. I knew this was an original as I had a full case at one time. Don't keep it, drink it!! I take that back-don't drink it until you see me and we will drink it together as this is one spectacular bourbon. I keep looking over your bunker-very impressive!!!!!

Cheers,

Marvin

[Paradox]

Yes, you were right when you told me this some time ago Marvin. I sure bet it is one impressive bourbon haha. I honestly enjoy the 16 a little more than the 20 so maybe this 19, even though only a year shy of the 20, will really wow me. One things for sure, it will definately get drank and I would love to be able to open with you sometime in the future in KY. Also, thanks for the compliment on the collection.

[Nokia]

Mark,

Nice touch on the website with the new logos. And I like the new background, although not as much as the actual pictures of all that whiskey.

[Paradox]

Thank you very much as well Nokia, I appreciate the compliment. If you're ever on the island you've got to call me and stop in for a drink!

[jeff]

If you're ever on the island...

Jamaica?

[Paradox]

Staten You've got to be from the area I guess haha. Though usually just saying 'the island' means Long Island. But Nokia knows where I live...