The auction, which is set to take place on December 7 in New York, will present to bidders what is said to be “the largest collection of pre-prohibition whiskey ever to appear” in such an event. Highlights of this collection include “Old Crow 1912 and deep quantities of Hermitage 1914 from W. A. Gaines, amongst others.”

The collection of pre-Prohibition whiskey and other spirits set to be auctioned at Christie’s. (image via Christie’s)

As for more specifics on the background of this whiskey horde, it belonged at one time to J.B. Leonis, a banker of note who opened a mercantile company in California named Santa Fe Ave. Mercantile Co. that operated mainly as an importer/wholesale liquor dealer. He kept his collection in a hidden cellar in his ornate home that was protected by a 10-bolt, vault style door covered over by a “Prohibition era” facade.