The Return of I.W. Harper
Diageo to Bring Back I.W. Harper
Based on TTB filings approved on Monday Diageo is bringing back the I.W. Harper brand to the US. We don’t have a lot of information but here’s what we can gather from the filings.
– Two releases. One Non-Age Stated (NAS) (assumed to be 4 years+ since it’s “straight bourbon” with no age statement) and the other 15 year
– Both are Kentucky Straight Bourbon
– Most likely bottled by George Dickel in Tennessee. No indication of the bourbons source
– 82 proof and 86 proof respectively
I.W. Harper is a very old brand dating back to prohibition. After changing hands multiple time it’s now owned by Diageo. While still in the Diageo portfolio I.W. Harper left the US market in the 80’s. With bourbon booming it should come as no surprise that Diageo plans to reintroduce I.W. Harper to the US market. While I don’t usually love whiskey that has been proofed down below 90 the old IW Harper bottles I have are still full of flavor below that mark. Hopefully, Diageo is able to replicate that.
7 comments
Blake, you kinda touched on my thoughts. An offering below 90 seems to be for the cocktail crowd while over 100 made more for us, the sippin’ neat crowd?
I will try and find an e.t.a. for being released into the market.
Any new information on a release date for the I.W. Harper or to what states that it may be shipped to in order to try and locate some of its product?
Just bought the 15 year old, offered today by de wine spot. Psyched!
Nice! Let us know how it is
I cracked a bottle of the 15 even though the US lost to Mexico and was quite pleased. Not sophisticated enough to do a fancy review, but I know what I liked and have no regrets about the purchase – and I love the bottle.
Bought the 15 year last week in KCMO.