Old Stagg 5 Year Old Quart W/ 2,000,000 Stagg Barrel Commemorative Key (Key Engraved June 23, 1953)

Old Stagg 5 Year Old Quart with 2,000,000th Barrel Commemorative Key — a historic whiskey artifact from the George T. Stagg Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) in Frankfort, Kentucky. The brass key was engraved on June 23, 1953, commemorating the distillery’s production of its 2,000,000th barrel — a milestone moment in American bourbon history documented by this physical artifact and the bottle it accompanies.

The 2,000,000th barrel milestone at the George T. Stagg Distillery in 1953 was a significant production achievement commemorated with a ceremony and engraved brass keys. The Stagg Distillery had operated since the post-Prohibition era under Schenley Industries and was known for its large-scale production of high-quality Kentucky straight bourbon. The accompanying quart-format Old Stagg 5 Year represents the standard-issue production of that era — a 5-year Kentucky straight bourbon bottled in the quart format (approximately 946ml) standard for American spirits in mid-century retail.

This package — the bottle and the 1953 engraved commemorative key — is among the most historically significant pre-modern era Buffalo Trace artifacts available at any specialty retailer. The distillery would later be renamed Buffalo Trace in 1999, and George T. Stagg Bourbon (the BTAC expression) now commands enormous secondary market premiums. This 1953 artifact predates the BTAC program by nearly 50 years.

Specs

• Distillery: George T. Stagg Distillery (now Buffalo Trace), Frankfort, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 5 years
• Format: Quart (approx. 946ml)
• Key: Brass commemorative key, engraved June 23, 1953 — 2,000,000th barrel milestone

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2,000,000th barrel commemoration?

The George T. Stagg Distillery marked its 2,000,000th barrel of bourbon production on June 23, 1953 — a major milestone commemorated with engraved brass keys given as ceremonial artifacts. The key accompanying this bottle documents one of the most significant production milestones in the distillery’s history, predating Buffalo Trace by nearly 50 years.