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

Gold Seal 1917 Bottled in Bond Whiskey Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling

Lot: 5073761

Gold Seal 1917 Bottled in Bond Whiskey Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling

Winning Bid: £1,500

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: 
R.P. Pepper
Vintage: 
1917
Region: 
Kentucky, USA
Bottler: 
Security Warehouse & Investment Co
Bottled Strength: 
100 US Proof
Bottle Size: 
1 Pint
Distillery Status: 
Closed
product Details

Gold Seal 1917 Bottled in Bond Whiskey Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling

This is an incredible example of Prohibition Era American whiskey. The Prohibition act of 1920 banned the production, sale and consumption of alcohol in the US. However, a select group of distillers were able to exploit a loophole that allowed them to continue selling the contents of their warehouses as a medicinal product.

The whiskey was distilled at the R.P. Pepper distillery by Harry E. Wilken in 1917. Fifteen years earlier the distillery had been acquired (likely under severe pressure) by the nefarious Whiskey Trust. The Whiskey Trust, officially known as the Distiller's Securities Corporation had been set up initially to consolidate and bring regulation to the US whiskey industry, but quickly developed a reputation for strong-arming and bullying distillery owners into making deals with them. During Prohibition its warehouses were used by the American Medicinal Spirits Company.

The Whiskey Trust later reinvented itself as National Distillers, and heavily invested in the American Medicinal Spirits Company, providing them with a license to bottle medicinal whiskey for their extensive brand portfolio. They famoulsly used whiskey distilled by Harry E. Wilken for their Special Reserve brand.

National Distillers would go on to become one of America's "big 4" whiskey companies following the repeal of the Prohibition Act in 1933.

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.