Prohibition Era Bourbon Whiskies

View Full Description [+ Read More]

Our Prohibition Era Bourbon Whiskey Collection represents a historic assortment of spirits that harks back to a tumultuous period in American history when the National Prohibition Act was enforced from 1920 to 1933, when the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were banned nationwide. These rare whiskies, preserved meticulously over the last century, offer a tangible connection to an era defined by speakeasies, bootleggers, and clandestine distilleries. Each "medicinal" whiskey in the collection tells a unique story of resilience and ingenuity, as distillers found ways to circumvent the law and keep the spirit of American whiskey alive. The complex and mature flavors provide a sensory journey into the past, offering a taste that is as much a historical artifact as it is a beverage. These are not just an assortment of aged spirits, but a tribute to the enduring legacy of American whiskey, surviving against all odds during the Prohibition Era.
    7 products
    Old Taylor 1915 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. Full Quart  [Low Fill] - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1915 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. Full Quart  [Low Fill]
    $8,999.97
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. / Private Bottling / Full Quart  [Low Fill] - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. / Private Bottling / Full Qu
    $13,999.97
    Sold Out
    Old Taylor 1915 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co / Full Quart - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1915 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co / Full Quart
    Sold Out
    Sold Out
    1916 Old Hermitage Bourbon Bottled 1927 American Medicinal Spirits Company (Prohibition Bottle) 100 Proof Pint - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    1916 Old Hermitage Bourbon Bottled 1927 American Medicinal Spirits Company (Prohibition Bottle) 100 Proof Pint
    Sold Out
    Sold Out
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. / Private Bottling / Full Quart [Mid Shoulder] - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. / Private Bottling / Full Quart [Mid Shoulder]
    Sold Out
    Sold Out
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. Full Quart  [High Shoulder] - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1917 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. Full Quart  [High Shoulder]
    Sold Out
    Sold Out
    Old Taylor 1915 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. One Pint - Flask Fine Wine & Whisky
    Old Taylor 1916 Prohibition Era American Medicinal Spirits Co. One Pint
    Sold Out

    Description

    Our Prohibition Era Bourbon Whiskey Collection represents a historic assortment of spirits that harks back to a tumultuous period in American history when the National Prohibition Act was enforced from 1920 to 1933, when the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were banned nationwide. These rare whiskies, preserved meticulously over the last century, offer a tangible connection to an era defined by speakeasies, bootleggers, and clandestine distilleries. Each "medicinal" whiskey in the collection tells a unique story of resilience and ingenuity, as distillers found ways to circumvent the law and keep the spirit of American whiskey alive. The complex and mature flavors provide a sensory journey into the past, offering a taste that is as much a historical artifact as it is a beverage. These are not just an assortment of aged spirits, but a tribute to the enduring legacy of American whiskey, surviving against all odds during the Prohibition Era.


    Frequently asked questions

    Is it legal to buy Prohibition-era whiskey?

    Yes. During Prohibition the US government licensed a handful of distilleries to bottle whiskey for medicinal use, sold by prescription through pharmacies, so these bottles were legal when filled and are legal to buy today from a licensed retailer like Flask. You're purchasing a genuine, documented artifact of American history, not contraband.

    Can you actually drink 100-year-old whiskey?

    If the seal is intact, yes. Whiskey doesn't spoil in glass, and medicinal-era bourbon was bottled in bond at 100 proof, which preserves beautifully. Some evaporation over a century is normal and shows in the fill level rather than the safety of the spirit. Many collectors do open them; others preserve the bottles sealed as historical pieces.

    What is "medicinal whiskey" from Prohibition?

    Between 1920 and 1933, whiskey could only be sold legally as medicine. Doctors wrote prescriptions, pharmacies dispensed pint bottles, and brands like Old Grand-Dad and Old Fitzgerald survived the era this way. Bottles typically carry bonding labels, prescription-era strip stamps, and distinctive pint packaging, details that make them uniquely evocative pieces of whiskey history.

    Why are Prohibition-era bottles so valuable?

    Supply is permanently finite and shrinking as bottles are opened, while much of the liquid was distilled before 1920 at distilleries that never reopened. Combine pre-Prohibition distillate, near-century-old packaging, and the romance of the era, and these bottles sit at the crossroads of whiskey collecting and Americana. Condition and label integrity drive value most.

    How does Flask verify a Prohibition-era bottle is genuine?

    We examine the bonding and prescription strip stamps, period-correct labels and glass, closure and capsule condition, and fill level, and we source from established collections. Each listing includes detailed photographs, and we're happy to share additional images or provenance information on request before you commit to a purchase of this significance.