Very Very Old Fitzgerald 18 Year Old "Blackhawk" 121.0 Proof 1950 (1 Bottle 4/5 Quart)

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 18 Year Old "Blackhawk" 121.0 Proof 1950

Barreled in 1950, bottled in 1969 at Stitzel-Weller, foil capsule slightly tarnished in places

Label reads: "This celebrated old whiskey was bottled at its original barrel proof of 121 proof for chief Blackhawk and his associates, Arthur M. Wirtz, William W. Wirtz, Arthur M. Wirtz, Jr."

Key facts about this bottle:

-This is the second time in history this bottle has appeared at auction.

-One of the rarest and most sought-after bottles of bourbon ever released, this was a private bottling exclusively for the Wirtz family, owners of the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team as well as alcohol distributors, Wirtz Corporation.

-No "Blackhawk" bottlings were ever made available for public sale. Rather, it is presumed that the bottles were gifted to close family, friends and associates of the Wirtz family.

-There are three extremely rare bottlings in the "Blackhawk" series, made up of an 18 Year Old (distilled in 1950), a 15 Year Old (also distilled in 1950) and this 12 Year Old, distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1963.

-Produced when Old Fitzgerald was the flagship brand of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, led by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle. At the time "Pappy" Van Winkle refused to bottle Old Fitzgerald at anything less than "Bottled in Bond Act (1897)" minimum of 100 proof. This "Blackhawk" 18 was bottled at 121 Proof.

-This is 100% pure Stitzel-Weller and bottled at one of the highest Barrel Proofs of the era.

1 bottle 4/5 quart (original carton)

Please refer to images for levels and conditions

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