16 years. Gold Wax. Spring 1974 distillate. Perfect Wax condition. 750ml. A.H. Hirsch Reserve the premium presentation of the legendary Pennsylvania straight rye whiskey, commanding a premium above the Black Wax format and presenting the Spring 1974 distillation designation in Perfect Wax condition among the most valuable American whiskey expressions in the current Wooden Cork catalog.

The Gold Wax format with the Spring 1974 distillation date specification is the most precisely documented A.H. Hirsch expression, identifying the specific seasonal production run at the Michter’s Schaefferstown Distillery. Pennsylvania distilleries historically tracked production by season Spring distillation runs have different fermentation conditions from Fall runs due to temperature variation. The Spring 1974 designation on the Gold Wax is the most granular provenance documentation available for any A.H. Hirsch expression.

Perfect Wax condition means the wax seal is in the highest possible preserved state entirely intact, no cracking, no deterioration after over 30 years since bottling. For a bottle of this rarity and value, condition documentation is essential to collector valuation, and Perfect Wax represents the ceiling.

Specs

• Distillery: Michter’s Distillery, Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania (closed 1989)
• Style: Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
• Distilled: Spring 1974
• Bottler: Preiss Imports A.H. Hirsch label
• Age: 16 years
• Wax: Gold Wax Perfect Wax condition
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does the Gold Wax command a premium over the Black Wax? The Gold Wax carries the specific Spring 1974 distillation date designation the most granular provenance documentation available for any Hirsch expression. Combined with the distinct Gold Wax presentation format and Perfect Wax condition, the Gold Wax is the rarer and more precisely documented of the two Hirsch presentations.
• What happened to the Michter’s Schaefferstown distillery? The Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania distillery ceased production in 1989 and has never reopened. The current Michter’s brand (Fort Nelson Distillery, Louisville) is an entirely separate operation with no physical connection to the Schaefferstown facility. The 1974-distilled Hirsch is genuine Schaefferstown production; the current Michter’s brand is not.

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