Very Very Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Old "Blackhawk" 112.0 Proof 1951 (1 Bottle 4/5 Quart)

Very Very Old Fitzgerald 12 Year Old "Blackhawk" 112.0 Proof 1951

Stitzel Weller, Distilled in 1951, bottled in 1963, foil capsule slightly tarnished in places

Label reads: "This fine whiskey bottled at its original barrel proof 112 for Chief Blackhawk and his associates, James D. Norris and Arthur M. Wirtz."

Key facts about this bottle:

• This is the first time in history this bottle has appeared at auction.

• One of the rarest and most sought-after bottles of bourbon ever released, this was a private bottling exclusively for the Wirtz family, owners of the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team as well as alcohol distributors, Wirtz Corporation.

• No "Blackhawk" bottlings were ever made available for public sale. Rather, it is presumed that the bottles were gifted to close family, friends and associates of the Wirtz family.

• There are three extremely rare bottlings in the "Blackhawk" series, made up of an 18 Year Old (distilled in 1950), a 15 Year Old (also distilled in 1950) and this 12 Year Old, distilled in 1951 and bottled in 1963.

• Produced when Old Fitzgerald was the flagship brand of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, led by Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle. At the time "Pappy" Van Winkle refused to bottle Old Fitzgerald at anything less than "Bottled in Bond Act (1897)" minimum of 100 proof. This "Blackhawk" 12 was bottled at 112 Proof.

• This 12 year old was the first "Blackhawk" bottling to be produced and would have been bottled under Julian Van Winkle Senior (who died shortly after in 1965) and Julian Van Winkle II. The subsequent two "Blackhawk" bottles would have been overseen by JVW II.

• This is 100% pure Stitzel-Weller and bottled at Barrel Proof.

Please refer to images for levels and conditions

1 bottle 4/5 Quart (no original packaging)

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