Once upon a time, Ancient Age Distillery was a significant player in the craft spirits industry. However, ‘round about the early 80s, the distillery and the brand changed hands, and the once-popular bourbon went away. We take a look at what happened to Ancient Age and its evolution throughout the years in this ultimate guide.

It All Started With the Schenley Company in 1938

The story of Ancient Age Distillery begins with Schenley Company, who introduced Ancient Age brand of whiskey in 1938. Schenley was one of the largest liquor producers in the US during the 20th century. The company distilled many different types of spirits, including Bourbon, American and Canadian whiskey, gin, and vodka. The business was renamed Schenley Industries in 1949 and became a publicly traded company. 

Ancient Age Distillery began distilling Ancient Age Bourbon in 1946. The distillery played a pivotal role in the bourbon boom that swept across the United States in the post-Civil War era. It was originally called George T. Stagg Distillery, then later renamed Ancient Age Distillery. 

Bourbon production continued until 1983, when the distillery and the brand were sold to Age International Inc. Takara Shuzo, Ltd (based in Kyoto, Japan) later bought Age International in the early 90s. However, Takara Shuzo only retained the Ancient Age brand – the distillery was subsequently sold to Sazerac, which has handled their production ever since.

Sazerac runs Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, where Ancient Age Whiskey is currently being produced. The brands under this umbrella are some of the biggest names in whiskey — E.H. Taylor, W.L. Weller, Pappy Van Winkle, and others. 

The acquisition marked a turning point for Ancient Age, positioning Ancient Age as a timeless yet relevant choice for bourbon enthusiasts.

Ancient Ancient Age Not Really 10 Years Old

At one point, Ancient Ancient Age featured a 10-year age statement on its label, suggesting an extended maturation. But this was discontinued. The bourbon has made changes over the years, both in proof and maturation time in the oak barrels. 

Today, the 10 is still on the label (written over the word STAR), but it no longer signifies the time this bourbon has spent aging. Instead, “Aged at least 36 months” can be seen plastered on the neck label -Ancient Ancient Age appears red-gold in the bottle. So, the current version of this bourbon is clearly much younger than its predecessor.

It is not the same as high-proof bourbon aged for a decade, but you’ll be thrilled with its youthful character.

There are other variants of the Ancient Age label in the US market:

• Ancient Age (80 proof)
• Ancient Age (90 proof), which is distilled from corn, rye, and barley malt.

Ancient Age Bourbon Tasting

Ancient Age is distilled from corn, rye, and barley malt at 80 proof. This bourbon has stood the test of time, and for a good reason. First, it’s smooth and simple. Caramel and vanilla do most of the heavy lifting on the palate, while a lingering finish hinting of toffee and citrus rolls in nice and slow. 

On the nose, apple, caramel, light oak, mild baking spices, a hint of fresh leather, and a touch of cherries are noticeable. There’s also honey sweetness and a little bit of barrel char in the finish. The mouthfeel is somewhere between thin and medium in fullness.

Ancient Ancient Age Bourbon has nice, light flavors and is quite easy to drink. It’s a rare (and affordable) bourbon that also checks boxes for the ability to drink either neat or in cocktails. 

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour – Beautiful Scenery and Great Sampling

Buffalo Trace Distillery is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which features 42 craft distilleries. Kentucky is home to 95% of all bourbon production worldwide, and Buffalo Trace has been part of Kentucky whiskey-making for 240 years. It is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the US – including during the Prohibition era.

As aforementioned, the distillery’s portfolio includes coveted expressions like Ancient Age, Old Rip Van Winkle, Pappy Van Winkle, W.L. Weller, George T. Stagg, and others.

If you like bourbons, Buffalo Trace has the perfect distillery tour and tasting for you. This sprawling distillery offers guided walking tours every Tuesday through the fall inside their facility. Guests can tour the rick houses, bottling line, and barrel warehouses – all while taking in the scenic sights and sounds of the wildlife and gardens.

During summer, the garden is alive with vibrant colors, showcasing a breathtaking display of fully blossomed daylilies. And after walking through the peaceful gardens and dazzling arboretum, it’s time for the meaty part, the bourbon tasting. 

Visitors can freely sample some of the company’s award-winning products for around an hour and 15 minutes. Notes of toffee and vanilla linger on the palate long after the final sip. It’s the perfect way to experience Kentucky’s legendary bourbon country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ancient Age Bourbon

What Distillery Makes Ancient Age?

Ancient Age Bourbon is distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY.

Is Ancient Ancient Age Discontinued?

Yes, Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year was discontinued in the early 2010s, although Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star (different label) continues to be available today.

Is Ancient Age a Good Bourbon?

Although the age-statement version of Ancient Age is no longer available, the rebranded Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star is aged twice compared to the standard Ancient Age. It continues to be cherished by many bourbon lovers.

What Happened to Ancient Age Whiskey?

The Schenley Company introduced Ancient Age Whiskey to the market in 1938, then sold both the distillery and the brand to a new entity called Age International. In 1991, Takara Shuzo acquired Age International – holding onto the brand names while transferring the distillery to Sazerac. Sazerac (owner of Buffalo Trace Distillery) has been overseeing the production of Ancient Age Whiskey since then.

Enjoy the Best of Bourbon on Kentucky Distillery Tours

Want to learn more about Kentucky and its whiskey’s origins? Dive into DistilleryNearby.com to explore the craft spirits landscape and discover more about craft cocktails and spirits.