Hirsch Selection Special Reserve 20 Year Old American Whiskey

About Hirsch Selection Special Reserve 20 Year Old American Whiskey

The use of wooden barrels to store and transport liquids dates back to 2690 B.C., when ancient Egyptians during the Early Dynastic Period began replacing clay vessels with wooden casks in order to meet the demands of their sprawling civilization. The advantages of wooden barrels were evident — not only were they less fragile than clay vessels, but their cylindrical shape allowed them to be rolled rather than carried across short distances. As settlers along the Nile quickly realized, however, barrels made from wooden staves were rather porous — any liquids stored in the barrel slowly evaporated as the barrel "breathed."

As whiskey ages in wooden casks, it evaporates through the pores of the wood. On average, approximately 2% of aging whiskey is lost to evaporation each year — this 2% is commonly referred to as the angel's share.

Hirsch Selection Special Reserve Limited Edition 20 Year Old American Whiskey has been aged for a minimum of 20 years in charred oak barrels and is bottled at 96 proof. Needless to say, the angels got their fair share. Hirsch Selection American Whiskey is made from a bourbon mash, but since the whiskey was aged in used barrels rather than new barrels, it does not meet the technical definitions of a bourbon.

Pick up one of these rare treasures today!