Prohibition Whiskey Collections

Two different finds discovered independently under completely different circumstances, this collection of "Bottled in Bond" 100 proof Prohibition Era Whiskey is the rarest drinkable whiskey ever produced, saved, discovered and presented at any time in history.

The US Government during Prohibition (1920-1934) made exceptions for the Medicinal Use of Spirits as long as they were in Barrel before the beginning of Prohibition (From the years 1912-1919). They had to be "Bottled In Bond" which meant only the purest, 100 proof and finest quality could meet the standard of the Bond for Medicinal Purposes Only! Packaged in decorative pint bottles most with their cardboard packaging, dates and stamps in tact, there is a minor amount of evaporation in a number of the bottles due to poor seals during that era. The flavor is unmistakable, pure and enriching. All bottles claim they are aged in Wood or "Oak" for 12-18 years before bottling. A number of the bottles are made at factories STILL PRODUCING WHISKEY TODAY!!! George Dickel, OFC, Antique (Ancient Age) to name a few. There are a number of bottles from a single batch called "Special Reserve" made for a shareholders meeting given to the participants as a spiff !

The first discovery made by Fumar Cigars came in the form of the salesman's kit from the AMSco. The American Medicinal Spirits Company actually had a door-to-door salesman for pharmacies and apothecary shops! He had one of each of the bottles they carried (18) in the cardboard box that had the US Treasury seal waxed on the side. Each box had the date in pencil on the lid (2-1-35), the price (Usually between $2.35-$2.57 per brand) and the salesman's initials.

The second cache was found in a hidden vault behind a wall in a basement in Chicago! Very Geraldo ish! But true! In that stash we found 26 bottles same basic years and a couple of extra bottles, including brandy's, Johnny Walker Black (1936) and 1 port and 1 gin (Turned).

Prohibition has 3 dates that are important.

1897: The Entitlement Act which empowered each of the distilleries to make Whiskey at Medicinal grade, 100 proof, Bottled in Bond with US Government seals and supervision. It was only sold by Pharmacy and Doctor scripts and required constant updating of the record. Each distillery was allowed to sell 500 barrels per year.

1920: Beginning of Prohibition. All whiskey in barrel had to stay there until Prohibition was over or be sold to Pharmacy through the "American Medicinal Spirits Company".

1934: End of Prohibition! All good to go!

Fumar Not only possesses the ONLY known collection of this product, but we have the prescription book too!

In order to sell this product, known by the liquor board as an "Antiquity" or "Collectible" or "Novelty", it is not considered "Liquor" anymore. None of the manufacturers still exist; a company that went in business for prohibition and out of business when it was over sold them wholesale. The retail distribution of the product was to pharmacies not to liquor stores.

In order to get the price and authenticity correct, we have packaged the whiskey with Cuban Legal cigars from the same era.

We recommend you sell the bottle and the cigars together to one person/group.

For pictures of the bottles see Robb Report October 2003 and our website.