I.W. Harper 15-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We can only say thank goodness some distilleries had the foresight to lay down barrels in the late 1990s and early 2000s when American whiskey sales were flat. The 15-year-old I.W. Harper has a heavenly nose of mint and baking spice, the orange rind dances on the palate and is finished with a heady dose of caramel. We think Mr. Bernheim would give this his seal of approval. This is one luscious glass you'll want to get your hands on.
**One Bottle Limit Per Customer**
In the annals of bourbon history there are a handful of figures that epitomize the craft, ingenuity and determination needed to build an industry. Isaac Wolfe Bernheim is one of those men. A German immigrant with plans to build a life in New York City who found himself a traveling salesman in Paducah, KY instead made the most of his opportunities. He built a career in the beverage industry first as a bookkeeper, as a distributor and eventually as a distillery owner. His successes in distilling and distribution helped shaped the American bourbon market as we know it today. Considered an elite whiskey in its heyday, I. W. Harper (the surname chosen presumably because it was more marketable than "Bernheim") was known the world over, so much so the Japanese market became its largest and most demanding. Thanks to this demand for its export the brand was discontinued in the United States in the 1990s. Now it makes its triumphant return. We say "Welcome back, Mr. Harper."
Silky and smooth, this Bourbon is scented with dried apricot, almond extract and vanilla. On the palate, expect lots of caramel and vanilla up front, followed by orange peel and nutmeg. Sherried notes come through on the finish, along with plenty of spice. (KN).