Very Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old 100 Proof 1948 (1 Bottle 4/5 Quart)

Very Old Fitzgerald 10 Year Old 100 Proof 1948

Distilled in 1948, bottled in 1958, tax strip slightly crinkled, back of bottle has a Kansas tax stamp adhered, front label stained and worn, front and back label worn

Before the mid-1950s, stocks of well-aged, unblended bourbon were scarce; the industry had barely recovered from Prohibition and the Great Depression when World War II came along, diverting alcohol production to military applications. This bottle, distilled in 1948 and bottled in Fall 1958, drew on some of the first aged whiskey from Stitzel-Weller after it returned to full capacity following the end of the fighting. It marked the beginning of a new era of growth and quality in the American whiskey industry.

Van Winkle refused to bottle Old Fitzgerald at anything less than the domestic requirement of 100 proof, set out by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 made it illegal to label any spirit bonded if it was aged past 8 years. This was changed in 1958. the same year as this bottle. This would have been one of the very first 10 year old bottlings after the law was changed.

Please refer to images for levels and conditions

1 bottle 4/5 quart (no original packaging)

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