In truth, Irish whiskey must be distilled and aged in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland. The spirits must be distilled from a yeast-fermented mash of cereal grains, to an alcohol by volume level of less than 94.8%, and the product must be aged for at least three years in wooden casks. If the spirits comprise a blend of two or more such distillates, the product is referred to as a "blended" Irish whiskey.
Ironically, the decorative whiskey decanters have not been produced by Irish whiskey distillers, but American whiskey distillers. Among the most well known are the Jim Beam bottles. Jim Beam has produced a brand of bourbon whiskey in Clermont, Kentucky, since 1795, except during Prohibition. The whiskey was named in 1933, in honor of James B. Beam, who rebuilt the business after Prohibition ended. Among the most famous decanters they produced was the genie bottle used in the comedy sit-com “I Dream of Jeannie.” Jeannie's famous bottle was not created for the show, but instead, as a special 1964 Christmas decanter containing "Beam's Choice" bourbon whiskey. It was designed by Roy Kramer for the Wheaton Bottle Company. An Internet search provided many unique Jim Beam decanters. To see the wide variety go to http://bit.ly/zcjzoT
Auction prices are all over the place. Starting bids for the blue glass “I Dream of Jeannie’ decanters range from $10.99 to $34.99. Unique decanters like slot machines, pedestal telephones are in the $35-50 range; the Professional Football Hall of Fame decanter starts at $61.67. Vehicle decanters are the priciest.
•Decanter depicting a 1917 Firetruck ’Buy It Now’ price…$68.99
•1934 Police Car ‘Buy It Now’…$99
•Steam engine locomotives start at approximately $50
The muscle cars command the highest price:
•1984 Corvette ‘Buy It Now’…$35.95
•1956 Corvette ‘Buy It Now’…$57.99
•1964 White Mustang (like decanter in photo) ‘Buy It Now’…$99.99
•1969 Camaro ‘Buy It Now’…$110
•1957 Chevy ‘Buy It Now’…$199.99!
The white Mustang decanter may not bring the highest value, but for one lucky guy, Lang Chapman of Willis, TX, the family’s vintage V8 Mustang was a package deal. His grandmother, Pat Werner, handed over the keys to her vintage Mustang along with the Jim Beam decanter, as a birthday this past January.
The most recognizable decanters are those produced by Wild Turkey, a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled by the Austin Nichols division of the Campari Group. It distinguishes itself by producing a 101 proof of its most popular bourbon as compared to the 80 proof of standard bourbons. Likewise, there was a disruption of production during the Prohibition era, but it dates back to 1869. The decanters that feature a wild turkey, start at auction prices of $20, and go up depending on age and condition.
The other whiskey distiller that featured decorative decanters is Ezra Brooks who produces charcoal filtered 90 proof Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. The product is no longer distributed in decorative decanters, but at one time probably produced the most eclectic array of decanters, with the college mascots commanding the highest prices.
•USC Trojan National Championship decanter, ‘Buy It Now’…$125
•South Carolina Gamecock, ‘Buy It Now’…$75
•Nebraska National Championship, ‘Buy It Now’…$74.99
•Arkansas Razorback with original box, ‘Buy It Now’…$150
•And an unbelievable ‘Buy It Now’ price for the Florida Gator…$369.95!
A large photo collection of Ezra Brooks decanters can be viewed at http://bit.ly/yB2psZ
The collector market for these decorative decanters is strong. The demand has increased with the popularity of built-in ‘wet’ bars and vintage Art Deco bars. They’re even used for fundraising. American Legion Post 77 in Bellaire, Texas, auctions off American Legion decanters commemorating past conventions, as a fundraiser for their annual Boys and Girls State government leadership programs. Some individuals may just have a collection of one, if that decanter invokes a sense of nostalgia. For whatever reason one collects whiskey decanters, this St. Patrick’s Day celebrate responsibly.
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