Hermitage Whiskey Bottled in Bond 9 Years Old 1914

PRE-PROHIBITION WHISKEY FROM THE LEONIS COLLECTION

W. A. GAINES & CO. DISTILLERS

Hermitage Whiskey

Made Fall 1908 Bottled Fall 1916

Made Spring 1914 Bottled Spring 1923

Hiram Berry was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1821. After moving to Frankfort, Kentucky in 1848 he later operated a business that supplied the Federal Government with stock & cotton during the Civil War. In his post war life Berry entered the wholesale liquor and distilling business with W.A. Gaines and E. H. Taylor, Jr. Together they formed the Gaines, Berry & Co. frm and were quite successful for many years thereafter. The frm created the now famous brand known as “Old Crow”. Later the frm evolved to form W. A. Gaines & Co., which was comprised of W. A. Gaines, Hiram Berry and E. H. Taylor, Jr., each from Kentucky and Frank Stevens, Sherman Paris, and Marshall Allen of New York, these latter partners signing on to inject much needed funds to expand a growing business model. Together these men broadened the new company’s product line by purchasing the Hermitage distillery in 1868 from E. H. Taylor. The new company enjoyed widespread success for many of their brands – some of which are represented in this collection. By 1887 W. A. Gaines & Co. would go on to become one of the largest producers of fne “sour mash” whiskey in the world. Hermitage Distillery remained in production right up to prohibition when it was then converted into a chair factory to survive the temperance movement. W. A. Gaines & Co. contemplated resuscitating it after repeal, but very likely due to huge capital investments required decided it was a futile project. The distillery was eventually demolished in 1945.

Hermitage Whiskey Bottled in Bond 9 Years Old 1914

Whiskey

W.A. Distilled Gaines & Co Distillers, Distillery no. 4, Old 7th I.R. District of Kentucky; bottled Bonded Warehouse No 3, 6th District of California. Distilled Spring 1914, bottled Spring 1923 100 Proof, all with stained Bottled in Bond capsule strips, five damp-stained labels

Levels 9.5cm below cork or better

In original banded wooden case prior to Specialist inspection, lid eliminated after inspection

24 pints per lot