IW Harper auctions 34YO Bourbon
Diageo-owned brand IW Harper has partnered with Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo to release a 34-year-old Kentucky straight Bourbon.
Drawn from four barrels laid down in 1989 at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, the expression is considered to be the rarest release from the brand in its 150-year history.
Nicole Austin, Diageo’s director of American whiskey liquid development and capabilities, commented: “I held onto this whiskey knowing exactly how special it was. These barrels were marked for IW 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 honouring the past while helping shape what American whiskey can be, this project has been incredibly personal. It’s a way to spotlight IW Harper’s legacy through a lens of true rarity and reverence.”
The 34-year-old Bourbon was launched in collaboration with actor, director, and philanthropist Colman Domingo, known for his Oscar-nominated roles in films Rustin and Sing Sing.
The release is described as a reflection of enduring style and an intentional celebration of identity, individuality, and artistic expression.
A total of only 11 bottles of the Kentucky straight Bourbon were produced. Five of these will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York, with the proceeds benefiting Native Son, a movement, community, and platform dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and increasing the visibility of black gay men.
Domingo shared: “As someone who cares deeply about legacy and representation, this release feels personal. As a black queer man, I know how vital visibility, support, and community are. Choosing Native Son as the charity partner was intentional – it reflects the same values we’re honouring through the whiskey: legacy, cultural expression, and creating space to be seen and celebrated.
“IW Harper 34-year-old isn’t just about rarity; it’s about storytelling that honours both past and future.”
Described as a once-in-a-lifetime release, the Bourbon is presented with a couture-inspired wrist piece and a silk scarf designed by Brooklyn-based creative Michelle Cadore.
IW Harper 34-year-old is bottled at 63.1% ABV and will be available only via Sotheby’s New York auction from 24 July to 7 August.
Zev Glesta, spirits specialist and assistant vice-president at Sotheby’s, said: “These remarkable bottles take centre stage – distilled in 1989, they mark a special moment in American whiskey history. 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.”
Earlier this year, Stitzel-Weller Distillery unveiled a 24-year-old Bourbon as the first release in its exclusive Stitzel Reserve series.
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