Original: $11,299.99
-65%$11,299.99
$3,955.00The Story
16 years. Black Wax. Mint Wax condition. A.H. Hirsch Reserve — the single most mythologized American whiskey collectible, a bottle of the legendary 16-year Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey distilled at the Michter's Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and released under the A.H. Hirsch label by Preiss Imports.
The story of A.H. Hirsch Reserve is one of the most extraordinary in American whiskey: the whiskey was distilled at the Michter's Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1974, the same year the distillery closed permanently. The aging stock was purchased by Adolph Hirsch in the late 1980s and bottled over the following decade as a Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey. Pennsylvania rye had been the dominant American whiskey tradition before Prohibition — this was a direct descendant of that tradition, distilled in its final years before permanent closure.
The Black Wax label identifies the specific Preiss Imports presentation format, with the Mint Wax condition indicating the wax seal is in exceptional preserved state. The A.H. Hirsch 16 Year has commanded some of the highest prices ever paid for American whiskey, with pristine examples like this one representing the apex of the collectible category. The same Hirsch family later created the Very Olde St. Nick program — also represented in the current Wooden Cork collection.
Specs
- Distillery: Michter's Distillery, Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania (closed 1989)
- Style: Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
- Distilled: 1974
- Bottler: Preiss Imports — A.H. Hirsch label
- Age: 16 years
- Wax: Black Wax — Mint Wax condition
- Size: 750ml
Browse all rare spirits at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is A.H. Hirsch Reserve considered the greatest American whiskey collectible? It is Pennsylvania straight rye — the pre-Prohibition dominant tradition — distilled at Michter's Schaefferstown in 1974, the year the distillery permanently closed. It is the last whiskey from a defunct production era and distillery, making it literally irreplaceable. No more will ever be made.
- What is the difference between the Black Wax and Gold Wax A.H. Hirsch expressions? The Black Wax and Gold Wax identify different Preiss Imports presentation formats for the same underlying 16-year Pennsylvania rye. Both are from the same 1974 distillation; the wax color and label design differ between the two formats. The Gold Wax (Spring 1974 designation, also in the collection) commands a premium above the Black Wax.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
16 years. Black Wax. Mint Wax condition. A.H. Hirsch Reserve — the single most mythologized American whiskey collectible, a bottle of the legendary 16-year Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey distilled at the Michter's Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and released under the A.H. Hirsch label by Preiss Imports.
The story of A.H. Hirsch Reserve is one of the most extraordinary in American whiskey: the whiskey was distilled at the Michter's Distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1974, the same year the distillery closed permanently. The aging stock was purchased by Adolph Hirsch in the late 1980s and bottled over the following decade as a Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey. Pennsylvania rye had been the dominant American whiskey tradition before Prohibition — this was a direct descendant of that tradition, distilled in its final years before permanent closure.
The Black Wax label identifies the specific Preiss Imports presentation format, with the Mint Wax condition indicating the wax seal is in exceptional preserved state. The A.H. Hirsch 16 Year has commanded some of the highest prices ever paid for American whiskey, with pristine examples like this one representing the apex of the collectible category. The same Hirsch family later created the Very Olde St. Nick program — also represented in the current Wooden Cork collection.
Specs
- Distillery: Michter's Distillery, Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania (closed 1989)
- Style: Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
- Distilled: 1974
- Bottler: Preiss Imports — A.H. Hirsch label
- Age: 16 years
- Wax: Black Wax — Mint Wax condition
- Size: 750ml
Browse all rare spirits at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is A.H. Hirsch Reserve considered the greatest American whiskey collectible? It is Pennsylvania straight rye — the pre-Prohibition dominant tradition — distilled at Michter's Schaefferstown in 1974, the year the distillery permanently closed. It is the last whiskey from a defunct production era and distillery, making it literally irreplaceable. No more will ever be made.
- What is the difference between the Black Wax and Gold Wax A.H. Hirsch expressions? The Black Wax and Gold Wax identify different Preiss Imports presentation formats for the same underlying 16-year Pennsylvania rye. Both are from the same 1974 distillation; the wax color and label design differ between the two formats. The Gold Wax (Spring 1974 designation, also in the collection) commands a premium above the Black Wax.
