Tax Stamps – BIB – & Other

Until 1985, the government required distillers to put tax strips draped over each bottle neck and cap to signify that tax had been paid.  Because so many people are hunting and discovering old bottles and dusties, here’s a little information that might help you date a bottle.  Of course, the Green Bottled in Bond tax strip states the Season and year the whiskey was put in the barrel and then the Season and year the whiskey was put in the bottle.

“Tax strips are the blue (if exported), green or red strips that go up the side of the neck and over the cap and will either say U.S. Internal Revenue or Bureau of ATF. If it says ATF on the strip then your bottle is from 1977 – 1985. If it mentions the IRS then it’s pre-1977.  We can break it down to smaller chunks fo time thanks to tax strip changes over the years.

1934-1944: Weight/Proof Marks on ends, no “Series” near Eagle’s feet. Upper-left edge reads “US Internal Revenue”

1945-1972: Words “Series” and “111″/”112″ added near Eagles feet. Upper-left edge reads “US Internal Revenue”

1973-1976: Volume markings removed from ends of Tax Strip. Upper-left edge reads “US Internal Revenue”

1977-1983: No Volume markings. No “Series” or “111″/”112″ near Eagle’s feet. Upper-left edge reads “Bureau of ATF”

In 1982 the words “Tax Paid” and “Distilled Spirits” were removed and replaced with simply “Distilled” and “Spirits” on the bottom of the strips.

The green Bottled in Bond strips were discontinued starting December 1, 1982.”