I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

After being cleared from U.S. shelves in the early 1990s, I.W. Harper Bourbon, which is aged for a minimum of four years at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, is now available again!

Isaac Bernheim immigrated to the United States in 1867 with only $4 in his pocket – while he intended to work in New York City upon his arrival, his future employer went out of business and as a result, Bernheim became a traveling salesman, riding his horse throughout rural Pennsylvania and peddling goods to housewives until his horse died.

Bernheim then moved to Paducah, Kentucky and became a bookkeeper for a liquor wholesaler, eventually saving enough money to bring his brother Bernard to the United States. In 1872, Isaac and his brother established their own company – Bernheim Brothers – and together purchased a distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and began to produce I.W. Harper Bourbon. While I.W. stood for Isaac Wolfe, the given name of the older Bernheim, the brothers chose the name Harper over their own surname because it, sounded more American.

Bernheim Distillery was one of just ten distilleries granted permission to operate during Prohibition for medicinal purposes, and I.W. Harper Bourbon grew in popularity throughout the 20th century until it was cleared from U.S. shelves in the early 1990s. Now, for the first time in over two decades, I.W. Harper is being made available again.

I.W. Harper Bourbon is distilled from a mash of 73% corn, 18% rye and 9% barley and aged at the Stitzel-Weller distillery for a minimum of four years in new American oak. As a result, the whiskey has an aroma of shortbread, butterscotch, vanilla and walnuts. The palate is filled with almonds and fruitcake, and leads to a finish accented by chocolate, lumber and caramel.