Bosham woman’s surprise as whiskey bottle rediscovered in cupboard clear-out found to be worth thousands

Rennie Wells’ bottle of Old Overholt 6 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey had been purchased by her father in America in 1941, before being stored away in various cupboards for decades.

When Rennie came across it this year during a clear out, she decided to have it valued by Whisky.Auction.

The bottle was found to be a particularly rare and well-kept bottle of the brand, which is said to be America’s oldest continually maintained brand of whiskey.

Rennie said: “I was surprised but delighted at the valuation of a few thousand pounds, and even happier when the hammer price reached £3,000!”

She said: “My father probably bought the bottle in America in 1941 when he was 40 - it might have even been to celebrate my 1st birthday.

“Prohibition had ended in 1933 and this whiskey would have been distilled there soon afterwards and bottled for sale in 1941.

“He was a big fan of American Rye whiskey so I don’t know why the bottle remained unopened.

“Perhaps he was saving it for a special occasion - or it might have just been pushed to the back of the cupboard.”

The bottle resurfaced when they moved out of the house after his death, and was kept safe and tucked away by Rennie’s mother.

When she moved to England in 1966 to live with Rennie and her husband, the bottle came with her.

Rennie said: “I kept it in various side cupboards at the house so that my husband and sons wouldn’t get curious and open it up.”

Rennie plans to do something special with the cash to commemorate her parents, especially her American whiskey loving father, however she is still deliberating over exactly what this might be.

To get a free valuation for a bottle, old or new, contact Whisky.Auction at [email protected]