Very Old Bottle...Pre-Prohibition Jack Daniels

[beendiggin]

Hi, all I'm new here and I am seeking info on the history of this bottle. It may be a decanter or a back bar, I don't know. I collect old bottles and I have not been able to id this one. I'm certain it was hand blown into a mold, the lip is hand tooled and the stopper is a perfect fit. The base has what appears to be a small twist in the center. It has normal base wear for an older bottle. The glass is debossed slightly, and lettered in gold paint. The Jack Daniels sites I visited don't show this style in their collections or JD history, so do any of you know if this is rare? I've seen other old botles in this shape and style that were also back bars, but I don't know where else to look for info regarding rarity, actual age, value or where this fits into the Jack Daniels line. Any help will be appreciated. Bottle without stopper is 8 3/4 " high,11 1/4" with stopper, 5 1/2" acrros the base. More pics available if needed. Thanks again Paul

Interesting bottle....
To be honest that I cannot give you an answer straight away.
I might have an idea where it comes from but need to verify. Give me a little time to give you a honest and clear answer.

[Raapio]

Hi Paul,

It looks like a pre pro back bar bottle to me. Only the top doesn't look right with the bottle. Does it have a s or 's or just Daniel printed on the bottle ?
If just Daniel, I would say pre pro for sure ..
Sweet piece and send more pics if possible, it would help getting more info
Regards,
Edwin

[beendiggin]

Thanks for the responses! I have some more pics...There is no apostrophe in Daniels. Tried to get a base shot showing the indent/twist mark...the tooled lip, the stopper and the ground throat. The blown stopper fits this bottle perfectly and can spin smoothly in the throat. I love the mystery..can't wait to find out more! Thanks again.

[beendiggin]

Here's the last pic of the stopper

[Raapio]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply & pics.
It is always difficult with these kind of bottles. There are no marks on the bottom of the bottle which could tell us somehing about the where about of this bottle.

it is a Really well done fake or the real thing !!! Just My opinion !!!

If it is the real thing it would definitely be pre prohibition !!! 1900 to 1940, definitely pre BrownForman !!!!

[beendiggin]

Are there any Jack daniels collectors who know where this bottle fits into the JD line... It really resembles some older back bar bottles from the early 20th century. Any JD collectors want to guess at it? I'd love to know a possible value range as well. Thanks

I have been collecting Jack Daniels decanters and antique bottles for 15 years or more now and I have never seen anything quite like yours. I have a library of over 1500 pictures of every bottle and jug made from the late 18oo's to the current releases as well and still nothing like yours.
It is similar in design to the Riverboat Captain decanter released in 1987 but not really.
I don't think I wouldn't sell it at all if it were in my collection.!!!
I have seen this picture somewhere else recently and remember several of the comments made about it being a fake. I really don't think so.
In my opinion, it's the real deal and is probably one very valuable piece. I know of a man, who has a full and sealed paper label bottle from around the early 1900's that is valued at $10,000.There are still several of these types of bottles around ..
I have an opinion as to what it is worth, but it is just my opinion. It's really worth what ever someone is willing to pay for it.
Thanks for showing it ..
southrock

[michael]

We have some old labels and letter sent from the Jack Daniels Distillery that may also be of interest:

http://whisky.com/brands/jack_daniel....html#comments

http://whisky.com/brands/jack_daniels/6.jpg