We Opened a Sealed 1978 Kessler Bottle!

Sipping on history! 🥃 Turn back time with us on this Friday as we dive into a fascinating bottle-to-bottle showdown: 1978 Vintage Kessler Blended Whiskey vs. Modern 2026 Kessler! We scored an incredible piece of whiskey history from our friends at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, Kentucky—a pristine, full-sized 1978 bottle of Kessler complete with its original ATF federal tax stamp and gorgeous diamond-molded glass. Back in '78, this American blended whiskey was produced by Seagram at the historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana plant (now MGP). Today, the brand belongs to Suntory Global Spirits and is distilled at the Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky. Astonishingly, both expressions maintain the exact same blend ratio: 27.5% straight whiskey and 72.5% grain neutral spirits. But do they taste the same? We break down the nose, palate, and finish of both eras. From the old Indiana distillate's wood-sugar concentration, butterscotch, and popping baking spices, to the modern Jim Beam low-rye mashbill's sweet corn notes and effortless drinkability, this comparison completely blew us away. No ethanol burn, surprising legs, and a perfect candidate for a summer patio drink (Kessler and ginger ale, anyone?). If you love exploring vintage dusties, American whiskey history, or just want to see how legendary brands hold up over the decades, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join us on the journey! 👉 Visit Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY for your own vintage catches! Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/  👉 Let us know in the comments: Have you ever tried vintage blended whiskey? Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content: https://www.patreon.com/cw/YourBourbonJourney 🌐 Visit Our Website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/ 🔔 SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@YourBourbonJourney?sub_confirmation=1 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbourbonjourney/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourBourbonJourney 🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps ❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌ The Vintage "Then" Bottle (1978) Classification: American Blended Whiskey Company: Julius Kessler Company (A subsidiary of Seagram at the time) Distillery: Julius Kessler Co. Plant, Lawrenceburg, IN (Now MGP), with blending/bottling line support out of Dundalk, MD and So. San Francisco, CA. Mash Bill: Undisclosed. (The straight whiskey portion used a traditional bourbon/corn-heavy recipe; the neutral spirits were distilled at or above 190 proof from corn and rye). Blend: 27.5% Straight Whiskies, 72.5% Grain Neutral Spirits. Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated). By law, the straight whiskey component had to be at least 2 years old. Proof: 80 Proof MSRP: Approx. $4.50-$5.50 in 1978 dollars. Released: 1978 (Confirmed by the "78" glass mold stamp on the base). The Modern "Now" Bottle (2026) Classification: American Blended Whiskey Company: Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory) Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery, Clermont / Frankfort, KY. Mash Bill: Undisclosed. (The straight whiskey component utilizes Beam’s standard low-rye bourbon mash bill; the grain neutral spirit base is derived from industrial corn mashes). Blend: 27.5% Straight Whiskies, 72.5% Grain Neutral Spirits. Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated). The back label explicitly verifies the straight whiskey portion is "2 years or more old." Proof: 80 Proof MSRP: $5.99 for the 375 mL flask size. Released: Modern Production (circa 2024–2026). 🎥VIDEO CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Sipping History: Turning Back Time with Kessler 0:17 - Finding a 1978 Dusty at Revival Vintage Spirits 1:25 - 1978 Vintage Kessler Specs & Seagram History 2:43 - Tasting the 1978 Vintage: Nostalgia, Mint, & Baking Spices 7:14 - Tracking Down the Modern 2026 Kessler Flask 7:46 - Modern Kessler Specs & Jim Beam Distillery Influence 9:30 - Tasting the 2026 Modern Kessler: Sweet Corn & No Ethanol 13:13 - Side-by-Side Comparison: Old Indiana vs. Modern Kentucky 13:49 - The Verdict: Dusty Funk & The Ultimate Patio Mixer 17:39 - Wrap Up & Why You Should Embrace Blended Spirits 🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨 ❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly. #VintageWhiskey #KesslerWhiskey #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyTasting #AmericanWhiskey #Seagrams #JimBeam Distillery #MGPDistillery #DustyBottles #WhiskeyReview #BlendedWhiskey #SippingHistory #VintageSpirits #WhiskeyComparison #BourbonEnthusiasts