Dusty Bottles, Living History: Inside Revival Vintage Spirits

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Brad Bonds welcomes listeners to Revival Vintage Spirits and
Bottle Shop in Covington, Kentucky, where vintage whiskeys tell
the story of American distilling from Prohibition to present day.
Located just minutes from the interstate at the unofficial start
of the bourbon trail, Revival offers a unique experience with
rare and historic spirits that can't be found anywhere
else.

• Revival Vintage Spirits occupies a historic 1800s building that
once served as Covington's YMCA
• Dusty bottles aren't just old whiskeys—true dusties have tax
strips from before 1984
• Well-preserved vintage spirits can remain good for decades or
centuries if properly sealed
• Revival makes rare spirits accessible by offering affordable
quarter-ounce pours of pre-prohibition whiskey
• The shop occasionally features medicinal prohibition bottles
complete with original prescriptions
• Revival hosts distillers and brand owners regularly for special
events and tastings
• The store serves as both a bottle shop and bar, creating a
comprehensive whiskey experience
• Brad and his business partner are working to change Kentucky
law to improve vintage spirit regulations
• Small distilleries can partner with Revival to showcase their
products and connect with enthusiasts
• Whiskey collecting is comparable to baseball card collecting,
but with the added benefit of consumption

If you're passing through Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, stop
by Revival Vintage Spirits, ask for Brad personally, and
experience a true grain-to-glass journey from the past to your
present.

Step into the fascinating world of vintage spirits as we join
Brad Bonds at Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop in historic
Covington, Kentucky. Just minutes from Cincinnati, this
extraordinary establishment serves as both the gateway to bourbon
country and a living museum of American whiskey history.

Brad guides us through the remarkable journey of Revival, from
its humble beginnings to its current home in a beautifully
restored 1800s building that once housed Covington's YMCA. More
than just a bottle shop, Revival represents the preservation of
whiskey heritage, offering enthusiasts the chance to taste
spirits that most people only read about in books.

The conversation delves deep into what makes "dusty" bottles
special – those time capsules of whiskey history featuring tax
strips from before 1984 that capture production methods long
since abandoned. Brad explains the remarkable stability of
properly stored vintage spirits, which can remain perfect for
decades or even centuries, unlike wine or other collectibles. We
explore the delicate art of bottle assessment, learning how
clarity, fill level, and label condition impact both value and
the drinking experience.

What sets Revival apart is its commitment to accessibility. While
some establishments might charge $1,000 per ounce for
pre-Prohibition whiskey, Brad shares stories of offering
quarter-ounce pours for $40, allowing hundreds of people to
experience liquid history. His philosophy shines through in every
aspect of the business: "We're trying to figure out a way every
day to be fair to who we buy from and fair to who we sell
to."

The passion behind Revival is infectious as Brad compares whiskey
collecting to baseball cards, but with one crucial difference –
"this is the final frontier, because you can choose to buy a
bottle from us and collect it, o


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