Hirsch 20yo

[Stones]

There is a bottle on Fleabay for sale right now for a pricely sum if anyone is interested, bit rich for me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1item=110274283235&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001

:bigeyes:

[Stones]

Apologies for the error guys (and gals).

Edited By VoL:

It is after the fact, but I am clearing this anyway because we do not promote ebay listings. Promoting these listings drives up prices more which none of us like!

[Stones]

Apologies for the error guys (and gals).

Edited By VoL:

It is after the fact, but I am clearing this anyway because we do not promote ebay listings. Promoting these listings drives up prices more which none of us like!

Apologies for the link all. :(

[Attila]

I'd just like to add that Hirsch 20, which I've had a number of times, is a very good bourbon but is not unique in flavor profile.

Okay. I've seen it in Japan for about 80 bucks.

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/re-lax/455141/577852/1103011/#1159362

and here

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/fitch/386037/394912/395299/1845529/#1439294

If its nothing special, I will pass on it.

[barturtle]

Okay. I've seen it in Japan for about 80 bucks.

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/re-lax/455141/577852/1103011/#1159362

and here

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/fitch/386037/394912/395299/1845529/#1439294

If its nothing special, I will pass on it.

I guess it should be pointed out that the Hirsch 20oy that is being referred to in this thread is properly labeled A. H. Hirsch Finest Reserve and is a pot stilled sour mash straight bourbon whiskey distilled in PA and bottled at 45.8%.

What you have there is not this whiskey, but is instead a Hirsch Selection American Whiskey. By not using the word "bourbon" on the label opend up all kinds of possibilities for blending in stuff including but not limited to: corn whiskey, rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey, Tennessee whiskey, as well as reused cooperage.

While I would be hesitant to purchase this whiskey without knowing more about what it actually contains, a skilled blender could make quite a nice whiskey, one better than the individual parts alone, through a thoughtful blending process.

[WsmataU]

Anyone interested in trading a AHH 20 for a AHH 16 (preferably blue wax)? I have 3 bottles of the 20 and have never tried the 16. From what I understand the 16 has a better flavor profile, even it is less valuable because of the 20's rarity.

[cowdery]

Well, we figured out that the AAH, that is the Michter's, was no more pot stilled than any other bourbon, but it is worth keeping in mind that it has to say A. H. Hirsch on the label, just "Hirsch" and it's something else, still from Priess Imports, but it's not the Michter's.

[WsmataU]

I'm relatively new to the forum and not an expert. Is there any difference between the Michters and AHH other than bottling. If not why the "gold rush" on AHH?

[Gillman]

Michter's was a name (one of them) of a distillery in Pennsylvania that forever closed about 18 years ago. The AH Hirsch bottlings of bourbon that are 16 and 20 years old contain Michter's bourbon made in 1974. (The 20 was all bottled from the barrels around 1994 and the 16 was bottled starting in 1990, some from wood and thence from stainless tanks since what was unbottled from the wood was tanked that year). There are some rare bottlings of other ages as well (19 years for example, but let's set these aside). The 20 is very good, so are the blue wax and gold wax 16's. What is the best amongst them? I'd say the 16 year old blue wax. Incidentally, Michter's in its heyday never was sold at such advanced ages. It was sold at 6 years old and was very good. The AHH bottlings of Michter's 1974 bourbon were a one-off but an inspired one.

Gary

N.B. The various bourbons and other whiskeys available today under the Michter's name in the heart-shape bottle are not connected to the original enterprise in PA other than by name. The current bottlings of Michter whiskeys are bulk whiskeys sourced in Kentucky. Of these, critical opinion tends to favour the Michter's 18 year old rye. The original Michter's did not, since Prohibition ended, make a rye, it made a kind of bourbon/rye hybrid called Original Sour Mash (which is the 6 years old I speak of above) and occasionally made bourbon. I should correct: it did make rye too but not for bottling under the Michter's label, but rather for the bulk trade.

[WsmataU]

Gary,

Thanks for the info. I was familiar with the Michter's name and the connection to AHH. I didn't really understand the "marketing" between the two labels.

I'd like to hear more about the "rare bottlings" as that is my whole point in trading what I do have for something I might want to try.

Thanks,

Frank

[Gillman]

I think a round-up of these was made on the board some time back, Randy B. has a good handle on it and maybe he could reply when he gets back.

There was a 19 and I think a 15, both in a bottle with the older white and flowing script label (like your 20).

The Hirsch bourbons were great, no question. There are however (for those who can't get any) other bourbons on the market that are fairly similar. The Vintage Bourbon from KBD at 17 years age is quite similar to the blue wax Hirsch 16 IMO. The Hirsch 20 and, say, EC 18, or Vintage Bourbon 21, are not that far apart. Or take, say the AH Hirsch rye 22 years old. Still, Hirsch bourbon was and always will be special.

Gary

[WsmataU]

Guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for all the replys and info. I checked my stash and, unfortunately, I have the Hirsch 20 vice the AHH 20. I'm nearly positive that I have the bottle of AHH 20 somewhere. I think it may be mixed in with my brother's stash. I'll be in touch once I find the "true article." I apologize for any confusion and appreciate all the assistance in clarification.

Frank

[cowdery]

To sort of complete what Gary was saying, if the label just says "Hirsch" and not "A. H. Hirsch" it is not part of that 1974 Michter's stash, nor of any other Michter's stash. The "Hirsch" comes from various original sources and may or may not be very fine whiskey, it's just not the A. H. Hirsch, and when you see people talking about 16-year-old gold foil or 16-year-old blue wax, they're probably talking about the A. H. Hirsch. I think Frank has put all this together, but I wanted it in the thread for anyone who is trying to sort all this out.

The people who run Priess Imports, who produce both the Hirsch and A. H. Hirsch, have told me they have no plans to use the A. H. Hirsch name again, and so far they have not, but plans can change.

[RWBadley]

I'm glad to see this thread with some life. Last night a buddy and I spent some time going through 'the Vault'. We did a very nice tasting with two Del Maguey Mezcals, (if you can find the Tobala- just get it) Anchor Gin (an amazing gin and best bang for the buck at only 26$), A.H. Hirsch 20yo, Vintage Bourbon 17yo, and a few others.

Spectacular as the Hirsch is and always has been.... Last night decided it had been eclipsed for the first time in my tastings. This by a bottle of 1966 27yo Whyte & Whyte 106 cask strength Glen Scotia. This is a very rare Single that I very seldom bring from the dark space in the back of the cave. It is truly the stuff that makes the eyes roll back and the mouth utter words in foreign tongues.

Cheers,

RW