The Nightjar is pleased to present its collection of rare vintage spirits now on sale at deliberately affordable prices. Over the last two years, Director Edmund Weil and Bar Manager Marian Beke together have sought out and bought rare examples of almost all the major spirit classes at auction and through specialist dealers. Their express purpose has been to deliver an extensive menu of exceptional liquids ––, each a survivor from the golden ages of alcohol history ––, for customers to enjoy.
Marian Beke explains, “We are really excited to launch this menu, offering our customers the chance to sample what are essentially liquid time capsules. Elsewhere rare vintage spirits are available only at eye-watering prices. Fascinated as we are by the history of fine alcohol, we wanted to make these experiences accessible to a wider audience. So individual samples are available from just £30, or for around £100 you could order a Manhattan made with rye from 1863, or a Martinez with Old Tom gin from 1910.”
Highlights from our collection
The Oldest
The liquid of which Marian speaks is the oldest in our collection: Hannisville Rye, believed distilled at Hannis Distillery in West Virginia, USA in 1863. Pre-dating Prohibition by 57 years, we will soon celebrate this spirit’s 150th anniversary, and it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the best rye whiskey we have ever tasted.
Anti-Temperance
We are fortunate to have secured a rare Monticello Rye from Baltimore, Maryland (1880s), the favourite brand of the ‘Sage of Baltimore’, journalist and staunch anti-Prohibitionist H.L Mencken (September 12, 1880 – January 29, 1956). Mencken is regarded as one of the most important American writers and prose stylists of the first half of the last century, and commented widely on the social scene of his day including against the Temperance movement, calling Prohibition “a horror”.
How alcohol survived Prohibition
Our Walker’s Deluxe Bourbon is an excellent example of how the trade in alcohol survived and indeed thrived throughout Prohibition. Produced over the border by the company famous today for Canadian Club, its accompanying documentation tells us it was distilled in the 1930s and shipped to California for ‘medicinal purposes’.
Not just North America
The star of our vintage rums is an extremely rare Cuban example called El Chico from the 1930s. Bought through a dealer from the USA, this was probably one of the first batches to be shipped following the end of Prohibition. It could be argued that there is a link between this brand and the ‘El Chico’ bar in Manhattan which served the El Presidente as its house cocktail.
Back in Britain
Our Pimms No. 1 (c. 1905) offers an otherwise unavailable taste of British drinking history, a survivor from the brand’s heyday when the company was owned by Lord Mayor of London Frederick Sawyer. Bottles of this age are very uncommon.
The Full List
Ryes: Hannisville Rye (1863); Rittenhouse Rye (1930s); Monticello Rye (Pre-Prohibition)
Whisky: Dow’s Pigeon Blend Scotch Whisky (1920s)
Bourbon: Hannisville Bourbon (1860s); Walker’s Deluxe Bourbon (1930s); Echo Spring
Bourbon (1920s)
Rums: Rhum Moko (c.1900); El Chico Cuban Rum (1930s)
Cognac: Marnier Lapostolle (c.1910)
Gins: Hannisville Old Tom Gin (1910); Old Mr Boston Sloe Gin (1940s)
Liqueurs: Bolskummel(1930s); Nassau Orange Liqueur (1940s), Fox’s Cherry Brandy (1940s)
Pimm’s No. 1 (1905)
The Nightjar is also owner of a number of vintage vermouths, so cocktails can be made in consultation with our bartenders for a totally unique drinking experience.
For further information or images, please contact Roisin Stimpson, on rosie@barnightjar.com or 07729 551171
