AH Hirsch Bourbons

A.H. Hirsch Reserve is bourbon distilled in the spring of 1974 at the historic Michter's distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, which later closed forever. The surviving stock, most famously bottled at 16 years old, became the subject of the book "The Best Bourbon You'll Never Taste" and is widely regarded as one of the finest and most storied American whiskeys ever bottled.

Every drop traces to that single 1974 distilling run, and the Pennsylvania distillery that produced it was shuttered and later demolished. No barrels remain. Each bottle opened permanently reduces the world's supply, which is why A.H. Hirsch sits in the rarest tier of American whiskey collecting alongside pre-Prohibition and Stitzel-Weller bottlings.

The 16 year old exists in several variants distinguished by details such as wax and foil finishes, alongside scarcer 15, 20, and older-aged expressions. Variants differ in bottling era and collectability, and prices reflect that hierarchy. Each of our listings identifies the exact bottling, and we're happy to explain how a specific bottle fits within the range.

A.H. Hirsch is admired for its rich, elegant old-style bourbon profile, and opening one can be the centerpiece of a serious tasting or milestone. Keeping it sealed preserves a finite piece of American whiskey history. There is no universally correct choice; store any unopened bottle upright, cool, and away from direct light.

We authenticate the bottling variant, closure, capsule or wax, label condition, and fill level, and we source from established collections. Photographs of the exact bottle accompany the listing. Given the significance of these bottles, we encourage questions before purchase and can provide additional detail on provenance and condition on request.