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

Overholt 1909 Rye Whiskey 1 Quart / Pre-Prohibition

Lot: 119626

Overholt 1909 Rye Whiskey 1 Quart / Pre-Prohibition

Winning Bid: £2,750
(Reserve has been met) This lot currently has: 16 bids

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: 
West Overton
Age: 
see lot description
Vintage: 
1909
Region: 
Pennsylvania, USA
Bottler: 
A. Overholt & Co.
Cask Type: 
N/A
Bottled Strength: 
n/a
Bottle Size: 
1 Quart
Distillery Status: 
Closed
product Details

Overholt 1909 Rye Whiskey 1 Quart / Pre-Prohibition

More commonly known as 'Old' Overholt, this brand of Rye whiskey is very old, even more so than this particular bottle. Overholt Rye was first produced in the early 1800's, with this bottle appearing over a century later. Bottled just before Prohibition, this 1909 vintage was apparently a reserve of the Mellon family, who stockpiled it for fear of running out in the wake of the Prohibition legislation banning all production and consumption in 1920. The whiskey is believed to be aged around 10-14 years.

As it turns out, Overholt distillery owner, Andrew Mellon was a close friend of Warren G. Harding, then secretary of the Treasury, a connection that provided him with a license to continue selling "medicinal" whiskey during Prohibition. The original West Overton distillery however closed down, and with stocks running out, the brand was sold to National Distillers in 1932. Previously known as the American Medicinal Spirits Company, National Distillers were consolidating interests in as much of the industry as possible, with the repeal of Prohibition expected the following year.

Old Overholt still exists today, produced alongside Old-Grandad by Jim Beam, who acquired both of 'The Olds' from National Distillers in 1987.

This is a fascinating artefact from a long and storied whiskey history, and tastes fantastic too. Serge Valentin of Whiskyfun.com rated this 93 points.

Important Notice

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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.