Ah Hirsch, also known as A.H. Hirsch, was a former executive at Schenley Industries, a renowned spirits company. During his time at Schenley, Hirsch briefly worked at Michter's, a distillery known for producing high-quality whiskey. It is believed that Hirsch commissioned a special whiskey as a financial favor to Michter's, with no specific plans for its use initially.
To fully understand the significance of Ah Hirsch, it is important to delve into the context of the whiskey industry during that time. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the American whiskey industry was experiencing a decline in popularity. Many distilleries were struggling to stay afloat, and some iconic brands were unfortunately forced to close their doors. This challenging environment made it difficult for smaller distilleries to survive, let alone thrive.
In this backdrop, Ah Hirsch, as a former executive at Schenley, had an opportunity to support Michter's, a distillery that he had briefly worked at. It is believed that he saw potential in the distillery and wanted to help them financially. As a result, he commissioned the production of a special whiskey, which would later become known as the legendary A.H. Hirsch Reserve.
The A.H. Hirsch Reserve was distilled in 1974 at Michter's Pennsylvania distillery. However, due to a variety of factors, including the bankruptcy of Michter's, the whiskey remained in barrels for many years without being bottled or sold. It wasn't until 1999, when Julian Van Winkle III, the president of the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, acquired the remaining barrels of A.H. Hirsch Reserve, that the whiskey was finally released to the public.
The A.H. Hirsch Reserve quickly gained a cult-like following among whiskey enthusiasts and collectors. Its rarity, age, and exceptional quality made it highly sought after. Bottles of A.H. Hirsch Reserve became prized possessions for whiskey connoisseurs, and its reputation continued to grow over the years.
As for Ah Hirsch himself, little is known about his personal motivations for commissioning the whiskey. It is possible that he saw an opportunity to support an industry he was familiar with and wanted to contribute to the legacy of Michter's. Regardless of his specific intentions, his involvement in the creation of the A.H. Hirsch Reserve has cemented his name in the history of American whiskey.
Ah Hirsch was a former Schenley executive who briefly worked at Michter's distillery. He is believed to have commissioned the production of the A.H. Hirsch Reserve as a financial favor to Michter's, with little initial plans for its use. The whiskey's subsequent release and its exceptional quality have made it a highly coveted and legendary spirit in the world of American whiskey.