1955 Old Hickory

[Chimalli]

I'm a new member from Sweden, where rare bourbon is rare indeed, so I have to make do with what little makes some specialised bars in Stockholm.
Anyway, that's not my subject.
A friend just told me that he found an unopened bottle that he bought in New York NY in 1955, and asked me if I had any suggestions... So I'm asking you all what to do with it. Drink it, save it until 2050, or?
Label says
---
OLD HICKORY BONDED BOURBON Matched Set Decanter
Bottled in bond for Old Hickory Distilling Corp Philadelphia
Straight Bourbon Whisky
Distilled & bottled by Continental Distilling Corp R.D. PA
Spring 1950 Fall 1956 Proof 100
---

[kbuzbee]

I'm a new member from Sweden, where rare bourbon is rare indeed, so I have to make do with what little makes some specialised bars in Stockholm.
Anyway, that's not my subject.
A friend just told me that he found an unopened bottle that he bought in New York NY in 1955, and asked me if I had any suggestions... So I'm asking you all what to do with it. Drink it, save it until 2050, or?
Label says
---
OLD HICKORY BONDED BOURBON Matched Set Decanter
Bottled in bond for Old Hickory Distilling Corp Philadelphia
Straight Bourbon Whisky
Distilled & bottled by Continental Distilling Corp R.D. PA
Spring 1950 Fall 1956 Proof 100
---

Welcome to the forum!! I don't have any specific information for your bottle but I will tell you, in general, Bourbon is for drinking. Would I save it for some "big event" in my life? Sure maybe, but I don't know about holding on to it for 45 years. Life is amazingly uncertain. The unexpected death of my parents several years ago drove that home in spades. A recent article in Malt Advocate explores this exact line of thinking:

http://www.whiskeypages.com/html/issue.html

It was a great article comparing Whiskey collectors to people who enjoy drinking Whiskey.

If/when you do open it, please post your opinions. Most of us will never have a chance to experience something like this.

Enjoy!

Ken

[White Lightning]

Welcome!

From the info you posted it sounds like it was distilled in 50' and bottled in 56'. If so, your friend has to be mixed up and bought it in NY in 1956 or later - no?

[Chimalli]

Thanks for advice and comment. I also thought the 1956 text was strange, you don't expect a "best before" now, do you?
I'll go ahead and tell my friend it's time to open the bottle and hopefully enjoy. If I can persuade him to let me have a taste, I will write again.

[tlsmothers]

A friend Ed got a bottle off ebay and I picked it up for him here in Brooklyn. The whiskey inside was very cloudy so we didn't end up tasting it. He decided to leave it behind so I have it here on display for fun. My camera is on the blink right now but I'll post a picture when I can.

[tcosby]

would like to know if you still have the bottle of unopened old hickory. If so would you like to sell it? Would like to get it for my dad as a gift, he has always said Old Hickory was his favorite and hasn't had it in years. Dad is 75 years old, wanted to get this for him for Christmas but due to time element it will have to be for Valentines Day I guess. Please let me know if you have an unopened bottle for sell or if you know anyone who can help me find one. Thanks, Tim

[cowdery]

The subject of Old Hickory has been discussed recently and at some length on the "other site," where a person who used to work at the Pennsylvania distillery where it was made has been sharing some of his memories.

[bourbonv]

The other site Chuck is refering to is of course straightbourbon.com. As far as I know Mark, Chris and Brewer do not have a problem with mentioning the posts found on straightbourbon.com. The whole point here is to make information available to the public.