Eagle Glen

The photos of the #16 base Eagle Glen drummed up quite a number of emails. Obviously, this particular brand of tool top picture whiskey has a pretty loyal following.

The firm of Mohns and Kaltenbach first registered the brand in 1895. It was then that the now infamous amber #16 base with high domed kick up bottle was blown. By whom, we still don't know (hint - hint). The embossing detail and relief is beyond compare. There is literally nothing left tothe imagination and the eagle looks as though he could fly off the face of the bottle. A clear picture variant was also produced in a different mold with the typically seen flat base.

A flat flask was also produced for them. Also called a "dandy flask",  many of these had threads blown through the top, were then finished off on the grinding wheel, and topped with a fancy pewter cap.

As a side bar, Mohns and Kaltenbach also marketed Atlas Bourbon; a brand

which resulted in the manufacture

of both a rare picture whiskey and

matching etched pre-pro shot glass.

According to records, the firm became Mohns and Mohns in 1901 (S.F. Call- June 15, 1901 advertisement), when Kaltenbach left the partnership. The clear mold from Mohns and Kaltenbach was reworked for the firm. Some examples show strong detail in the wing feathers whereas other are notably weak; similar to the Phoenix Whiskey.

And true to form, another flat flask appeared.

The firm of Mohns and Mohns incorporated either in late 1903 or early 1904. A new mold was cut reflecting the incorporation. The bottles were blown in clear glass only and once again, the detail is striking. Notice the reappearance of the nearly vertical "AND"? This partner ship lasted until 1904, when Werle and Willoh purchased the brand.

The old mold was reworked yet again for Werle and Willoh with bottles once again being blown in both clear and amber. By now, the mold is showing consireable wear and the loss of definition becomes obvious. A time line of documented addresses is as follows; 29 Market (1905-1906), They were burned out in the '06 earthquake and relocated to 55 Market (1907-1916), 147-149 Market (1917).

Notice - no mention of a 59 Market St. in the archives? And yet, here it is...It is unknown if this was a mold error (probable) or if they did indeed have outlets at both locations. I'd lean toward the former in that it makes little sense to have two retail locations, separated just a few doors down from each other...

Research over the past few days has confirmed that the 59 Market Street addess is indeed a mold cutting error that was caught shortly after a small run of bottles was produced and distributed. They are rarely encountered.

The firm also commissioned the production of three different etched shot glasses.

In addition to the cylinders and shot glasses, a "dandy flask" was also produced for them in both amber and clear glass. Notice the address goof on this bottle as well as the cylinder?

This example still sports the original label!

All bottles produced for the Eagle Glen brand of whiskey are exceptionally rare, as are the shots glasses. Many collectors have never seen one and those that have both seen and owned them are in a definite minority. Funny how a brand can be made and distributed over a span or 22 years and have so few examples still remaining. Funny too, how these bottles were omitted from the Thomas works despite the fact that they are infinitely rarer than many of the bottles that he so favored. Maybe that's why they've remained such a great value over time~

A special thank you to Rich L. for his assistance with this article and the photography of many of these examples!