PRODUCT BACKGROUND: The I.W. Harper brand is returning home for the first time in nearly 20 years, with the release of I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The unique offering commemorates the original whiskeys produced by the brand, as it’s reintroduced in the United States with a commitment to authenticity that only 142 years of experience can provide.
BACKGROUND: In 1867, German immigrant Isaac Wolfe (I.W.) Bernheim arrived in America with four dollars in his pocket and dreams of a better life. By 1872, he had founded his own distillery, Bernheim Brothers and Company, soon acquiring the trademark to produce the whiskey ultimately known as I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The whiskey won its first gold medal in 1885 and continued to gain popularity across the country and around the world throughout the twentieth century. By the mid 1990’s, the I.W. Harper brand shifted its focus to the Asian market and ceased distribution in the United States. Nearly 20 years later, the I.W. Harper brand is returning to the U.S. with two new Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys for legal drinking age consumers to enjoy.
ORIGIN: I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was most recently aged at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Ky., and contains whiskeys distilled at the current Bernheim Distillery. It is hand bottled in Tullahoma, Tenn.
PRODUCTION: The mash bill for I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is approximately 73% corn, 18% rye and 9% barley.
PRODUCT PACKAGING: The I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey packaging is inspired by the rich history of the legendary brand, featuring the iconic bowing man and diamond labels that helped make the original instantly recognizable. The bottle is a modern interpretation of a classic I.W. Harper embossed bottle.
TASTING NOTES: Beginning with a subtle nose, I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey leaves traces of caramel and vanilla on entry before melting into creamy bursts of wood and spice. The finish is sweet and pleasant with subtle fruit notes.
SIZES: 750 ml
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 82 proof, 41% (ABV)
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $34.99
ABOUT I.W. HARPER: I.W. Harper evokes a sense of timeless gentility to provide premium whiskey to a new generation. As a testament to the authentic quality which sustained the decades, the Bowing Man remains as the iconic symbol of I.W. Harper. The Bowing Man stands to remind us— anywhere, anytime, it’s always a pleasureTM. These traditions remain as two new Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys will be released to American consumers in 2015 as the next chapter in I.W. Harper’s expansive story. Welcome home, Mr. Harper.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.
I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 41-43% Alc/Vol. ©2015 I.W. Harper Distilling Company, Tullahoma, TN
I have a leather case I found in my attic of my B& B built in 1883 with IWHarper Whiskey on it.just wondering how old it is?
Hi Susi, that’s tough to say as memorabilia/swag doesn’t usually have a way to date. You’d have to search for old ads that talk about a leather case to see if it was part of a promotion or something like that. Cheers!
I have EMPTY bottle from WWII with the plain brown paper label of IW Harper bottled in Louisville, it says. It is a Rye Whiskey. Is there any history on this as the label says ON ACCOUNT OF THE WAR. I have used it as conversation piece because my Grandpa was a moon shiner. He collected empties to distribute to friends as he was never a runner. This is not one of his bottles but I would like to point out history of it because I have never seen one on all the sites I looked for this wartime beverage in clear glass bottle because of rationing of glass. Do you have any references? I’m 72 and I will sell the bottle if it brings a bunch of money. LOL But, otherwise, I will just keep it as a conversation piece of history for my friends and family.
Hi Judith,
I’ve never heard of that bottle before. Empties don’t go for much, but that’s an incredibly interesting piece indeed.
hello do you have any distrubitor to europe, i live in sweden and want to import.
Hey Rolf, I’m a reviewer, I don’t sell it :)
I have a very old (50 yrs?) bottle of I. W Harper bourbon in an opened decanter bottle with a Pennsylvania tax stamp unbroken. A label around the neck indicates it is 86 proof. However, as I live in a very warm climate, some of the liquor has evaporated. Is there any historic value to this bottle?
Not a ton, but if it hasn’t been opened it’s worth trying. :)
I have been looking for I W Harperfor the last 50 years to bring back memories of my teenage years having a drink with a good buddy. Welcome Home !! Where can it be purchased? I live So. Cal.
All the big liquor stores should be carrying it. Bevmo, Wine & Liquor depot, Total Wine, etc.