I.W. Harper Unveils A Rare 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in Partnership with Award Winning Actor Colman Domingo
I.W. Harper, a brand under Diageo (NYSE:DEO), has unveiled its rarest release ever: a 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in collaboration with Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo. The ultra-rare spirit, distilled in 1989 and aged at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery, is bottled at 63.1% ABV from just four legacy barrels.
Only 5 bottles out of 11 total produced will be available exclusively through Sotheby's auction from July 24 to August 7, 2025. The proceeds will benefit Native Son, a platform supporting Black queer men. The release features couture-inspired design elements and represents a unique intersection of whiskey craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and community support.
I.W. Harper, un marchio di Diageo (NYSE:DEO), ha presentato la sua uscita più rara di sempre: un Bourbon Kentucky Straight di 34 anni in collaborazione con l'attore candidato all'Oscar Colman Domingo. Questo spirito ultra-raro, distillato nel 1989 e invecchiato presso la distilleria Stitzel-Weller, è imbottigliato a 63,1% ABV provenendo da soli quattro barili storici.
Solo 5 bottiglie su un totale di 11 prodotte saranno disponibili esclusivamente all'asta di Sotheby's dal 24 luglio al 7 agosto 2025. Il ricavato andrà a beneficio di Native Son, una piattaforma che sostiene uomini queer neri. Il lancio presenta elementi di design ispirati alla haute couture e rappresenta un’unione unica tra maestria nella produzione del whiskey, narrazione culturale e supporto alla comunità.
I.W. Harper, una marca bajo Diageo (NYSE:DEO), ha revelado su lanzamiento más raro hasta la fecha: un Bourbon Kentucky Straight de 34 años en colaboración con el actor nominado al Oscar Colman Domingo. Este espíritu ultra-raro, destilado en 1989 y envejecido en la destilería Stitzel-Weller, se embotella a 63,1% ABV proveniente de solo cuatro barriles históricos.
Solo 5 botellas de un total de 11 producidas estarán disponibles exclusivamente a través de la subasta de Sotheby's del 24 de julio al 7 de agosto de 2025. Los ingresos beneficiarán a Native Son, una plataforma que apoya a hombres queer negros. El lanzamiento presenta elementos de diseño inspirados en la alta costura y representa una intersección única entre la artesanía del whiskey, la narración cultural y el apoyo comunitario.
I.W. Harper는 Diageo (NYSE:DEO) 산하 브랜드로, 오스카 후보 배우 콜먼 도밍고와 협업한 가장 희귀한 제품인 34년산 켄터키 스트레이트 버번 위스키를 공개했습니다. 1989년에 증류되어 Stitzel-Weller 증류소에서 숙성된 이 초희귀 주류는 단 4개의 전통 배럴에서 나와 63.1% ABV로 병입되었습니다.
총 11병 중 단 5병만 2025년 7월 24일부터 8월 7일까지 소더비 경매를 통해 독점 판매됩니다. 수익금은 흑인 퀴어 남성을 지원하는 플랫폼인 Native Son에 기부됩니다. 이번 출시에는 고급 맞춤복에서 영감을 받은 디자인 요소가 포함되어 있으며, 위스키 장인정신, 문화적 스토리텔링, 커뮤니티 지원이 독특하게 결합된 제품입니다.
I.W. Harper, une marque sous Diageo (NYSE:DEO), a dévoilé sa sortie la plus rare à ce jour : un Bourbon Kentucky Straight de 34 ans en collaboration avec l’acteur nommé aux Oscars Colman Domingo. Cet esprit ultra-rare, distillé en 1989 et vieilli à la distillerie Stitzel-Weller, est embouteillé à 63,1% ABV à partir de seulement quatre fûts historiques.
Seulement 5 bouteilles sur un total de 11 produites seront disponibles exclusivement lors de la vente aux enchères Sotheby’s du 24 juillet au 7 août 2025. Les recettes bénéficieront à Native Son, une plateforme soutenant les hommes noirs queer. Cette sortie présente des éléments de design inspirés de la haute couture et représente une intersection unique entre l’artisanat du whisky, le récit culturel et le soutien communautaire.
I.W. Harper, eine Marke von Diageo (NYSE:DEO), hat seine seltenste Veröffentlichung aller Zeiten vorgestellt: einen 34 Jahre alten Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Oscar-nominierten Schauspieler Colman Domingo. Der ultra-seltene Geist, 1989 destilliert und in der Stitzel-Weller-Brennerei gereift, wird mit 63,1% ABV aus nur vier historischen Fässern abgefüllt.
Nur 5 Flaschen von insgesamt 11 produzierten sind exklusiv über die Sotheby’s-Auktion vom 24. Juli bis 7. August 2025 erhältlich. Die Erlöse kommen Native Son zugute, einer Plattform, die schwarze queere Männer unterstützt. Die Veröffentlichung zeichnet sich durch couture-inspirierte Designelemente aus und stellt eine einzigartige Verbindung von Whiskey-Handwerk, kulturellem Erzählen und Gemeinschaftsförderung dar.
- Ultra-rare release with only 11 bottles total produced, creating significant collectible value
- Auction proceeds will benefit charitable organization Native Son
- Partnership with high-profile actor Colman Domingo adds marketing value
- Premium positioning with 34-year aging and exclusive Sotheby's auction distribution
- Extremely limited availability (only 5 bottles for sale) restricts revenue potential
- High barrel proof (63.1% ABV) may limit broader market appeal
The Couture-Inspired, Ultra-Rare Spirit Honors the Brand's Legacy of Black Excellence, and Will Be Exclusively Auctioned Via Sotheby's to Benefit Native Son
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/diageo/9347051-en-stitzel-weller-distillery-i-w-harper-34-year-old-bourbon-colman-domingo-partnership
"As someone who cares deeply about legacy and representation, this release feels personal," Colman Domingo shared. "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 honoring through the whiskey: legacy, cultural expression, and creating space to be seen and celebrated. I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old isn't just about rarity; it's about storytelling that honors both past and future."
That legacy is not just defined by time in barrels, but by the stories and cultural threads that surround it. Founded by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, I.W. Harper has long stood as a symbol of refinement and quiet confidence within Black culture in America – respected for its historic ties and resonance across generations. Continuing that mission into the future, proceeds from the auction of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will directly benefit Native Son's mission, reinforcing the release's dual role as an exceptional whiskey and a meaningful cultural message.
Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in
"I held onto this whiskey knowing exactly how special it was," said Nicole Austin, Diageo's Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities. "These barrels were marked for I.W. 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 honoring the past while helping shape what American whiskey can be, this project has been incredibly personal. It's a way to spotlight I.W. Harper's legacy through a lens of true rarity and reverence."
Every element of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old was developed through that lens, from the couture-inspired wrist piece to the silk scarf by Brooklyn-based creative Michelle Cadore . This release draws visual and conceptual inspiration from the themes of fashion, resistance and identity, ideas powerfully explored in wider cultural works that have shaped the conversation around heritage and expression.
Rather than relying on heavy-handed tasting notes, I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old is defined by its structure and restraint – an experience meant to be understood first-hand by the select few who will have the chance. It carries a profile shaped by decades in new charred oak, offering a rare balance that reflects both the craft of American Whiskey and I.W. Harper's signature quiet confidence.
I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will exist solely as this ultra-limited, once-in-a-lifetime release, available exclusively through Sotheby's via auction benefiting Native Son.
"These remarkable bottles take center stage – distilled in 1989, they mark a special moment in American whiskey history," said Zev Glesta, Spirits Specialist, AVP, at Sotheby's. "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."
I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old represents not just a whiskey's journey across time, but the Stitzel-Weller Distillery's ongoing commitment to cultural contribution and community support. Sotheby's auction for I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be live from July 24 through August 7, 2025 and bids can be placed on Sothebys.com.
ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby's is the world's premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby's promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby's believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
*Estimates do not include buyer's premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby's app for iOS and Android.
ABOUT COLMAN DOMINGO
Colman Domingo is an actor, writer, director and producer. He has been nominated for Two Oscars, BAFTA, Tony® Award, Critics Choice Awards, Independent Spirit Awards among others, and recently received an Emmy nomination this year for his work in Netflix "The Four Seasons". Previously, he won an Emmy for his work on The HBO series, "Euphoria" which is currently in production on its final season. He will next be seen in Edgar Wright's The Running Man, Steven Spielberg's next feature film and Antoine Fuqua's Michael. He will make his feature film directorial debut next year with Scandalous starring Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson.
He has been on the cover of Time Magazine this year as a "Closer," one who works to fill the racial equity gap as well as being one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He recently was the co-chair of the Met Gala which raised a record
ABOUT NATIVE SON
Native Son is a non-profit movement, community, and platform created to inspire and empower Black queer men. Named after James Baldwin's book Notes of A Native Son, the organization's mission is to amplify the voice and visibility of this community globally. This platform aims to create safer spaces where the Black queer community can fellowship, celebrate and empower each other, and—most importantly—see themselves. From the world-renowned to the up-and-coming, Native Son's intention is to connect and celebrate the members of this influential, yet long ignored community in the realms of arts, business, media, fashion, politics, education, and culture.
ABOUT STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLERY
Originally opening on Derby Day in 1935 and reopening to the public in 2014, the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry.
Located only five miles from downtown
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Please Drink Responsibly.
I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Five Keys Bottling Co.,
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