S otheby’s New York presents the August Whisky & Whiskey auction, headlined by the historic release of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—the rarest bottling in the brand’s 150-year legacy, with proceeds will benefit Native Son, a platform dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of Black queer men.
Also featured are the oldest bottle from The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection alongside The Macallan 40 Year Old, released in 2016, rare aged Bowmore from the legendary 1960s distillation period and a number of sought-after American whiskies dating back to the late 19th Century.
Founded in 1872 by German immigrant Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, I.W. Harper is a historic Kentucky bourbon brand deeply rooted in American whiskey heritage. Originally launched under the Bernheim Brothers Distilling Company, the brand name was crafted to sound distinctly American, “I.W.” for Isaac Wolfe and “Harper” for broader appeal. It gained early acclaim, winning international awards and surviving Prohibition by securing a medicinal whiskey license.
Following Prohibition, the brand was acquired by Schenley Industries in 1937, under whose ownership it flourished from the 1930s through the 1970s. I.W. Harper was particularly popular in Japan, where it earned a devoted following. Despite international success, domestic interest in bourbon declined in the late 20th century as vodka and clear spirits rose in popularity. I.W. Harper, like many traditional bourbon brands, was gradually pulled from the U.S. market and remained focused primarily on exports.
During this time, production was handled by various facilities, including the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, though ownership and logistics shifted among larger conglomerates., I.W. Harper was quietly withdrawn from the domestic market and maintained primarily as an export-only brand. After decades of limited availability stateside, it was revived by Diageo in 2015, reintroducing a legacy label to a new generation of bourbon drinkers.
Stitzel-Weller Distillery proudly introduces the rarest release in I.W. Harper’s 150-year history: I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Crafted from just four legacy barrels laid down in 1989 and matured for 34 years at the iconic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, this ultra-limited expression represents a first-of-its-kind intersection of whiskey craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and community.
Launched in collaboration with award-winning actor, director and philanthropist Colman Domingo, this release is both a reflection of enduring style and an intentional celebration of identity, individuality, and artistic expression. A testament to the liquid’s rarity , just 5 bottles will be sold (of only 11 total in existence), exclusively consigned via global auction at Sotheby’s in New York, with proceeds donated to Native Son, a movement, community, and platform created to inspire, empower, and amplify the visibility of Black queer men.
“As someone who cares deeply about legacy and representation, this release feels personal. As a Black queer man, I know how vital visibility, support, and community are. Choosing Native Son as the charity partner was intentional—it reflects the same values we’re honoring through the whiskey: legacy, cultural expression, and creating space to be seen and celebrated. I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old isn’t just about rarity; it’s about storytelling that honors both past and future.”
That legacy is not only defined by time in barrels, but by the stories and cultural threads that surround it. Founded by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, I.W. Harper has long stood as a symbol of refinement and quiet confidence within Black culture in America – respected for its historic ties and resonance across generations. Continuing this mission into the future, proceeds from the auction of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will directly benefit Native Son’s mission, reinforcing the release’s dual role as an exceptional whiskey and a meaningful cultural message.
Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old was blended from four hand-selected barrels, carefully preserved and bottled at cask strength, 63.1% ABV. The result is a whiskey that speaks to quiet patience and considered stewardship – crafted not just to age, but to endure.
This sale includes many old and venerable whiskies from across Scotland including highlights from The Macallan, Bowmore, Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas.
Leading this exceptional array from The Macallan is the final bottle from The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars release, aged for 65 years. Marc Larminaux, Creative Director for Lalique, based the design of the decanter around a single peerless drop of The Macallan, symbolising its most precious spirit. Also offered is one of only 500 bottles of The Macallan 40 Year Old, released back in 2016 when whiskies of this age were far more unusual than they are today.
From Bowmore Distillery on Islay, two bottles from the Trilogy releases are offered. Both distilled in 1964, arguably the greatest single vintage in the distillery's long history, the Black and White Bowmore were aged in Sherry and Bourbon cask, and aged for 42 and 43 years respectively. Both are extremely highly rated by connoisseurs, amongst the finest whiskies ever released from any distillery.
Furthermore, two incredibly rare releases from the Glenfiddich Distillery come to auction for the very first time. Firstly, two bottle of an extremely seldom seen bottle of 10 Year Old Glenfiddich Single Malt, bottled exclusively for the US market in the mid 1960s. Alongside this are three bottles of Glenfiddich 11 Year Old, distilled in 1959 and privately bottled at 100 Proof for Wm. Hunt. Private bottlings such as these from this era are unusual to find, particularly from Glenfiddich distillery. It is interesting to note that the label used for this private bottling is similar to that of the Glenfiddich Reception Area bottling from 1969.
Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the famed Stitzel‑Weller Distillery released its signature wheated bourbon under a select number of private‑label programs. Among the earliest and most elusive of these expressions is the Essex Club “Rare Reserve” of Newark, New Jersey. Bottled at 100 proof in the spring of 1960, this bottling rarely surfaces, underscoring its desirability to serious connoisseurs.
Equally noteworthy and produced in even smaller quantities than the standard Old Fitzgerald lineup, are the Very Old Fitzgerald 8 Year Old editions crafted for private clients and prestigious establishments. Bottled at the same 100 proof as Essex Club, these whiskies are composed entirely of Stitzel‑Weller distillate from what many regard as the distillery’s golden era.
The sale features numerous whiskeys produced before and during national Prohibition, which lasted from 1920-1933, including coveted bourbon and rye from the best-known distilleries of the era. A definitive highlight is four remarkable bottles of Old Overholt rye distilled in 1916 and bottled in 1930, one of the few brands permitted to continue production under Prohibition’s medicinal whiskey licenses. Overholt played a vital role in preserving rye whiskey heritage during the dry years, making bottles from this period exceedingly rare and historically significant, and today the brand still carries on its legacy with current releases.
The Stewart family, tracing back to Irish immigrant Robert Stewart who founded a popular rye whiskey distillery in Baltimore in 1886, sold the business in 1897 to the Carstairs brothers of Philadelphia, whom combined it with their family’s long-established wine and spirits wholesale firm to form the Stewart Distilling Company in 1909. The company thrived with brands like Stewart Pure Rye and Carstairs Whiskey until Prohibition led to its Philadelphia operations ending by 1921, though the Baltimore distillery lasted until 1925. The sale features two extremely rare bottles of Stewart Pure Rye 1898.
Also included is an exceptional example Old Sunny Brook Rye, founded by the Rosenfield brothers in 1891, which quickly gained prominence as a popular Kentucky rye whiskey before Prohibition swept across the nation with enaction of the Volstead Act. After winning a gold medal at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, the brand rooted in Louisville, KY, went through several ownership changes but remains remembered for its historic significance.
Chartreuse liqueurs can be traced back to 1605, when Carthusian monks in Paris received a mysterious manuscript detailing a complex “Elixir of Long Life.” Over many decades, the monks worked to refine the formula, eventually creating a potent herbal tonic that became known for its medicinal qualities. By 1764, the final recipe made from over 130 plants was formalized in the “Composition of the Elixir of Chartreuse.” In the 19th century, the elixir evolved into two distinct liqueurs: Green Chartreuse in 1840 and Yellow Chartreuse shortly after, each with its own distinct character
The monks’ reputation for quality led to widespread demand and international fame, but they faced expulsion from France in 1903, moving production to Tarragona, Spain. After decades of legal and political struggles, they regained control of their brand and returned to France, expanding production and modernizing marketing throughout the 20th century. The bottles found in this sale are rare US imports that are gems in the Chartreuse universe, highly prized by dedicated collectors and enthusiasts.
