Stitzel-Weller Distillery Announces New I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Bourbon

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Home » Bourbon Blog » Bourbon and Whiskey News » Stitzel-Weller Distillery Announces New I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Bourbon

Distilled in 1989, This Rare Bourbon is Three Decades in the Making.

Stitzel-Weller Distillery has announced the release of its rarest I.W. Harper expression to date: I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades, this release comprises just 11 total bottles, only five of which will be offered to the public. Each bottle will be auctioned exclusively through Sotheby’s in New York, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Native Son.

Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old was blended from four hand-selected barrels, carefully preserved and bottled at cask strength, 63.1% ABV. The result is a whiskey that speaks to quiet patience and considered stewardship – crafted not just to age, but to endure.

Colman Domingo Joins as Creative Collaborator

Two-time Oscar-nominated actor, director, and philanthropist Colman Domingo partnered with I.W. Harper to launch the release. “As someone who cares deeply about legacy and representation, this release feels personal,” Domingo stated. “I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old isn’t just about rarity; it’s about storytelling that honors both past and future.” Domingo specifically selected Native Son as the charity partner, emphasizing themes of visibility, empowerment, and cultural expression.

Crafted with Patience and Purpose

The whiskey was blended from four legacy barrels and bottled at cask strength (63.1% ABV). Nicole Austin, Diageo’s Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, described the project as deeply meaningful: “These barrels were marked for I.W. Harper all those years ago, and I’ve been waiting for the right moment to do something truly meaningful with them. This release is the rarest in the brand’s history—a liquid that’s been carefully stewarded for 34 years. As someone who has spent my career honoring the past while helping shape what American whiskey can be, this project has been incredibly personal. It’s a way to spotlight I.W. Harper’s legacy through a lens of true rarity and reverence.” Austin emphasized that this release is a tribute to American whiskey history and the enduring legacy of I.W. Harper.

Design Inspired by Fashion and Identity

Beyond the whiskey itself, the release includes visual elements rooted in cultural expression. The presentation features a couture-inspired wrist piece and a silk scarf designed by Brooklyn-based creative Michelle Cadore. These details aim to reinforce the release’s themes of heritage, resistance, and personal identity.

Sotheby’s Auction Details

The five collectible bottles of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will be available for bidding through Sotheby’s online auction platform from July 24 through August 7, 2025. “These remarkable bottles take center stage – distilled in 1989, they mark a special moment in American whiskey history,” said Zev Glesta, Spirits Specialist at Sotheby’s. “Exceptionally well-aged, bottled at cask strength, and five of only 11 in existence, it’s the kind of release collectors dream about. What makes it even more special is that the proceeds will go directly to Native Son, a cause close to our hearts. We’re proud to be part of something so thoughtfully curated – not just celebrating an incredible whiskey, but also giving back in a meaningful way.”

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