I.W. Harper?

[bobsdad]

Perusing another fun thread re: favorite cocktails, in this forum, reminded me of a bourbon I used to drink in my youth. It was called I. W. Harper. I haven't been able to find it for many years. I googled for it on the net and believe it is still being made, but only for the overseas market. Japan maybe?
I remember being able to afford it even back in the 60's, but it looks very expensive now.

Any of you older guys remember it? I thought it was good stuff.
Didn't want to hi-jack the other thread.

Anyone know where it can be purchased?

 

[doublesharp]

one w harper was a favorite bootlegger whiskey in Kentucky's dry counties.

 

[4011]

Be real careful drinking that stuff. I got rather stupid from drinking some once.

4011

 

[Oldiron]

Isn't Harper what the robber got for the geeky guy in American Graffiti.

 

[Onomea]

Yep, it is available in Japan. Pretty good actually. It sells for less than Makers Mark, which is also popular. In Japan it is, if memory serves, 80 proof. You can get it in most bars.

 

[diamonback68]

As recall when I was younger, it was considered cheap rot gut whiskey.

 

[Texas Star]

My memory on this is a little fuzzy, but I think it appeared in a James Bond book. Bond didn't drink vodka martinis all the time.

I'm not especially a bourbon man, but do recall their ads. Ian Fleming may not have been "up" on US whiskies, or he might have chosen a different brand.
I don't believe that Maker's Mark was being made then. W.L. Weller is good.

 

[Moonman]

Dog Scrub.

 

[sophie]

I do remember IW Harper whiskey, haven't seen it in years and best I remember it was pretty cheap whiskey and not too good.

James

 

[S&WIowegan]

I.W. Harper is what Paul Newman drank in that pool shootin' movie "The Hustler" when he was gettin' drunk feeling sorry for himself. I was a bourbon drinker back then but don't remember trying Harper.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

As recall when I was younger, it was considered cheap rot gut whiskey.

Let's face it-most of the bourbons were invented to keep the help out of the scotch

 

[rburg]

Back in my sordid past and ill spent youth, I worked for Schenley Distillers doing God's work. We peddled booze! And Harper was one of our brands. It was a higher priced product. Schenley broke up and the brands sold off to make a profit for Playtex, the owner.

I have a friend who constantly raves over how good it was and how much he enjoyed drinking it with his step father. I thought he just lived too far out in the hills of Indiana, and all it would take is a trip to a big city liquor store. No such luck.

But at an antique show last year I found a mini bottle (airline?) of it for a $1. So I bought it. Then gave it away! One of the ways to find long since discontinued brands is to haunt antique shows and flea markets. Technically its illegal for them to sell spirits most places. But most places don't care very much. I've even seen old bottles full of booze at yard sales around here.

 

[ditrina]

As recall when I was younger, it was considered cheap rot gut whiskey.

You were never younger

 

[ditrina]

Let's face it-most of the bourbons were invented to keep the help out of the scotch

Have ya tried the new "Double Black"

 

[old bear]

Its been alleged,when on set, W.C. Fields had a quart of I.W. Harper gold medal delivered to his dressing room daily.

 

[oldman45]

Many years ago, it was the cheapest stuff out there and very popular with the drunks.

It is still available in a few liquor stores in the US.

It is also still cheap.

 

[jimmyj]

Yep, it is available in Japan. Pretty good actually. It sells for less than Makers Mark, which is also popular. In Japan it is, if memory serves, 80 proof. You can get it in most bars.

American "Payback"?

 

[sipowicz]

My dad worked with a cop in NY who didn't like to wear his real name on his uniform..so he ditched his real name tag and used IW Harper 5th...

 

[bobsdad]

Well, it looks like I'm out of luck, unless I can get to Japan. I was young at the time (1960's) that I pulled the cork on this stuff, but I had some experience with a few different bourbons. For some reason, I favored it. Might have been the James Bond connection?
Anyway, here are some reviews from a few years ago (when it was available) from Bourbon Enthusiast:
BourbonEnthusiast.com • Bourbon Reviews • I. W. Harper

 

[medxam]

Someone, please tell me about the Johnny Walker "Double Black'. I am a devoted JW drinker and have been tempted to try a bottle but wonder if the price justifies the end.

medxam