I.W. Harper 15 - Anywhere, Anytime, Always A Pleasure

Jan 29

***15yrs Old, 86 Proof, Kentucky Straight Bourbon***

Easily the best looking bottle on either bar at the pad is this one. I.W. Harper has a 4yr offering and a 12 yr Japan release but nothing looks quite like that 15yr. The brand had been away for 20yrs as Diageo discontinued it stateside back in the 90s. During that time it became quite the household name internationally. By 1966 I.W. Harper was sold in 119 countries.

Took this for a ride over the summer at The Loyalist in West Loop as a nightcap. At 86 proof it ranks as one of the most intense, big flavor small proof offerings maybe ever. Fruit perseveres followed by bitter oak are most present on the palette. Big fan of the way vanilla seems to weave its way throughout every sip.

The story goes that Issac Wolfe Bernheim actually chose the surname Harper because he thought it was more marketable. You might recognize the Bernheim Whiskey name today as its a part of the Heaven Hill family of releases (yes, it’s named after the same guy).

With undeniable notes of pear, toffee, honey, apple and bright citrus this bottle is sure to find a home on most any bar. To be fair Buffalo Trace compares quite nicely in a head to head with this release and that bottle is $26 compared to this one which is closer $80.

—The Neat Pour

Other Notes:

Diageo is also the parent company of Captain Morgan’s Rum and Guinness in the US.