In an unexpected turn of events, Ben Cissell from Memphis found himself in the spotlight after posting a photo of five antique liquor bottles on Reddit.
The seemingly ordinary post sparked a flurry of messages from enthusiasts eager to purchase the bottles, particularly one that stood out to Chicago locals—a full bottle of Malört.
Cissell had no idea the treasure he had unearthed when he stumbled upon the bottles while preparing for work on a trash day a few months ago.
His next-door neighbor was clearing out their attic, and in an act of curiosity, Cissell accepted a box of liquor, later posting the picture in search of information on the whiskey subreddit.
The response was overwhelming, with many expressing interest in buying the bottles and even making the journey to his home to collect them in person.
Intrigued by the excitement surrounding the Malört bottle, Cissell decided to reach out to the producers at CH Distillery, who had revitalized the iconic spirit after purchasing the original Carl Jeppson Company in 2018.
Anna Sokratov, head of marketing at CH Distillery, noted how delightful it was to connect with someone like Cissell, who stepped into the world of Malört as a new fan.
CH Distillery went above and beyond by covering the travel expenses for Cissell and his wife to make the eight-hour drive from Memphis to their Chicago facility.
Upon their arrival, the couple was welcomed with a tour of the distillery, a donation to Cissell’s chosen charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and several free bottles of Malört.
The quest to determine the vintage of the Malört bottle proved challenging due to the scant written history surrounding the brand.
Cissell estimates that his bottle likely dates between 1953 and 1985, while Sokratov posits it could have been produced between 1964 and the 1980s.
Another hurdle for Sokratov and her team was ascertaining the authenticity of the bottle; they had never encountered the specific label before.
Additionally, the color and taste raised questions about whether it was a genuine Malört or a competitor’s imitation.
“Part of the fun about this story is that there is just really this big unknown.
No one’s really sure about the bottle,” Sokratov remarked, reflecting on the unique circumstances surrounding Cissell’s find.
For Cissell, the experience marked the first occasion he had tried Malört.
He described the flavor of the vintage bottle as having a soft aftertaste, floral undertones, and a hint of citrus.
Encouraged by the distillery staff, Cissell also sampled the contemporary version of Malört, which revealed a striking difference in taste.
After their visit, Cissell shared an update on Reddit, which attracted thousands of reactions from users who expressed their enthusiasm over his newfound appreciation for the city and its heritage.
“I’m just glad that I didn’t sell it to some buyer who just wanted to keep it on a shelf in their house and show off to their buddies when they come over,” Cissell stated.
He reflected on how this single bottle had fostered connections and highlighted the rich history surrounding Chicago and its iconic drink.
Cissell concluded, “It’s funny how this one little bottle has brought so many people together and created a lot of new stories.”
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/06/how-a-vintage-malort-bottle-made-it-from-tennessee-back-to-chicago/
