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Next Auction starts Friday 29 March. Bottle Deadline: 18 March.

Ancient Age 86 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1.75 Litre 1980s

Lot: 287182

Ancient Age 86 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1.75 Litre 1980s

Winning Bid: £193

Currency Estimate

Important: Currency exchange rates are constantly changing; this feature is to be used as a guide price only. All final transactions occur in British Pounds (£).
Lot:
Distillery: 
George. T Stagg
Age: 
n/a
Vintage: 
N/A
Region: 
Kentucky, USA
Bottler: 
Official / Schenley
Cask Type: 
n/a
Bottled Strength: 
43%
Bottle Size: 
1.75 litre
Distillery Status: 
Operational
product Details

Ancient Age 86 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon 1.75 Litre 1980s

Ancient Age was introduced in 1938 by the Schenley company at the distillery then known as George T. Stagg, which they had acquired at the close of Prohibtion three years prior. Schenley were one of the "big four" American distilling companies at the time, alongside Seagram, Hiram Walker and National Distillers. Schenley's portfolio was significant, and despite turning down an approach for their Old Charter brand from former Fleischmann's Distilling director's, Bob Baranaskas and Ferdie Falke, they were willing to offer both Ancient Age and the George T. Stagg distillery that made it. The deal was completed in 1983, and the newly formed Age International quickly added a number of new lines to its range, including Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms.

The popularity of these products was particularly high in Japan, coinciding with a market boom for American whiskey there in the 1980s. In 1991, with Age International in some financial trouble, a Japanese company called Takaro Shuzo stepped in and acquired a 22.5% stake in the company. In an unusual series of events, they then scuppered a deal the following year that was to see the remaining shares sold to Heublein (a subsidiary of Grand Metropolitan). Their deal the year before had included a 30 day right of refusal to purchase the shares for themselves should they be put up for sale. With the deal all but done, the Japanese company stepped in on the final day of the window to acquire full control of the company. As it turned out, their only interest was in the brands, and they had used the 30 days to negotiate a deal with the Sazerac Company of  New Orleans. This saw the American company take ownership of the distillery (which they renamed Bufflo Trace in 1999), as well as the exclusive production and US distribution rights for the Age International labels. This is an arrangement that is still in place today.

This is the 86 proof Ancient Age. It was distilled and bottled by Schenley at what was still the George T. Stagg distillery in the early 1980s.

This bottle is being sold from the Pat's Whisk(e)y private collection which, numbering in excess of 9,000 bottles and over 2,000 miniatures, is the single largest collection of whisky ever to be brought to auction. Pat's Whisk(e)y is the result of over fifteen years of passion and dedication to the goal of creating one of the most complete libraries of whisky and whiskey ever amassed by an individual collector. It contains bottles from over 150 different Scottish distilleries, as well as bourbon, rare Scotch releases from sought-after independent bottlers in Europe, and whisky from other distilleries across the globe. Whisky Auctioneer is delighted to have partnered with Pat's Whisk(e)y to offer this collection across a number of exclusive and spotlight auctions. For more information, please click here.

Important Notice

We would recommend viewing/close inspection prior to placing any bids. If this is not an option and you have questions beyond the offered description and images, please contact us for a more in-depth condition report. Otherwise lots will be sold as seen in the images.

Please note: Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion and no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in transit.