Tokaji Essencia
The Elixir of the Tsars
Tokay Essencia, Essenzia, Eszencia, Aszu-Essencia
It is safe to say that Tokaji Aszú is the first (since the sweetened and doctored wines of the ancient world) of the
great sweet wines, well established as such by the mid-17th century. The beneficial effects of botrytis were noted
here almost a century before they were accidentally discovered in Germany, Moreover, the vineyards were the
first ever to be classified: in 1700 Prince Rákóczi of Transylvania introduced 1st, 2nd and 3rd class (or growth)
quality ratings. Tokaji was the most highly regarded and sought after wine particularly by Russian and Polish
royalty and nobility. The vineyards, mostly owned by the Hungarian aristocracy, were the country’s most valuable
assets. (Catherine the Great can claim to be one of the first foreign investors; she owned, and protected with her
own guards, a major vineyard.)

There is much evidence that the wine appealed to English connoisseurs in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
(Christie’s archives reveal that Tokaji appeared in a catalogue dated 1770, only 4 years after James Christie set
up his auction business). Another appreciative connoisseur was Thomas Jefferson who imported and served
‘rich Tokaji’ (‘for which I paid a guinea a bottle’) at his presidential banquets in the early 1800’s. The aftermath of
WWI was disastrous for the Hungarian landowners and trade. In 1925 a remarkable cache of old wines was
literally unearthed and purchased by Berry Bros. Their 1927  price list includes early 19th century vintages ‘from
the princely house of Bretzenheim which became extinct in 1863’. It seems that the family, concerned that the
revolutionary forces of 1848 would seize their property, walled up their valuable old wines.

Historically the wine and the region were called Tokay by the English but the wine is more correctly referred to as
Tokaji and the region as Tokaj.
Tokay Essence 1811, bottled about 1840
Formerly the property of the Princely Family of Bretzenheim

Sold by Berry Bros in the 1920's. The
ne plus ultra of Tokaji, and one of the
greatest of all 19th century wines.  
Finest & Rarest - Vintage Spirits and Magnificent Wines
Tokay Essence 1811, bottled about 1840. Formerly the property of the Princely Family of Bretzenheim
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Tokay Essence 1889, of superlative quality, bottled about 1910, from the estates of the late Count Jules Esterhazy of Galanta.
Tokay Essence 1889, of superlative quality, bottled about 1910, from the estates of the late Count Jules Esterhazy of Galanta.
Tokay Essence 1914, of very fine quality, invaluable as a restorative, from the estate of the Baron Maillot.
Tokay Essence 1914, of very fine quality, invaluable as a restorative, from the estate of the Baron Maillot.
Tokay Essence 1889,
of superlative quality,
bottled about 1910,
from the estates of the
late Count Jules
Esterhazy.

SOLD
Tokay Essence 1914,
of very fine quality,
invaluable as a
restorative, from the
estate of the Baron
Maillot.

SOLD
Tokaji circa 1650. Possibly the oldest intact bottle extant. Believed listed in the 1929 Dresden auction.
Tokaji circa 1650. Possibly the oldest intact bottle extant. Believed listed in the 1929 Dresden auction.
Tokaji circa 1680 from
the Royal Saxon cellars

Possibly the oldest intact
bottle extant.
Believed listed in the
1929 Dresden auction.

SOLD
Tokaji Palugyay-Pressburg. Believed late 18th or early 19th century.
Tokaji Palugyay-Pressburg. Believed late 18th or early 19th century.
Tokaji Palugyay-Pressburg

Believed late 18th or early 19th
century.
SOLD
Tokayer Ausbruch Circa 1900. Adamovitch bottling.
Tokay Ausbruch Essence 1872.
Various Tokaji Aszu's - 1880 - 1940's.
Tokayi Aszu 6 Puttonyos 1924
Tokay Eszencia and Aszu Eszencia from 1852, 1856, 1866, 1874 and 1880.
Various Tokaji Aszu's - 1880 - 1940's.
Tokayer Zoete Hongaarsche Wijn
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Tokaji vintages 1802 - 1947
Tokay Eszencia and Aszu Eszencia
1852 - 1942.

Aszu Eszencias are around 13% alcohol, true Eszencias around 3%.

Note the distinctive black mold, unique to the traditional Tokaji cellars.

ALL SOLD.
Tokay  Ausbruch
Essence 1872.

SOLD.
Tokayer Ausbruch
Medicinal Wein

Circa 1900

Adamovitch bottling.

SOLD.
Tokayer Ausbruch Circa 1900. Adamovitch bottling.
Tokayi Aszu 6
Puttonyos"Heavy Sweet"
1924

Zimmerman bottling.

SOLD.
Vintage Absinthe from the Pre-ban Era
Vintage-dated Armagnac
Vintage Cognac
Vintage Calvados and other Fruit Spirits
Vintage Chartreuse
Vintage Rum
Bourbon & Rye Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
Other Spirits and Liqueurs
Tokayer Zoete
Hongaarsche Wijn

Dutch bottling.

SOLD.
The Great Wines of Bordeaux
Red and White Burgundy, including Domaine de la Romanee Conti
Vintage Champagne
Chateau d'Yquem
Chateau Chalon, Vin Jaune and Marc du Jura
Legendary Dessert Wines of France - Moulin Touchais, Puig Parahy
The Wines of Germany
Vintage Madeira
Tokaji Essencia
Other Rare and Unusual wines
Tokaji Aszu 1880 -
1940's.

SOLD.
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Ordering details
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Tokayer Essenz 1906
Hofkeller Abfullung

Extremely rare bottling
from the cellars of the
Austro-Hungarian
Imperial Court.

SOLD.
Tokaji Aszu Essencia 1942

Originally from the State Cellars, superb condition. Bottle covered
with the famous black "Tokaji mould".

1942 was a great vintage in Tokaji but very little Aszu Essencia was
made, due to the rigors of wartime conditions.

SOLD.
Exceptional 1945 Tokayer Essenz

3 bottles of pure Tokaji Essencia from the legendary
1945 vintage, one of the greatest vintages of the
century
Pure essencia from the last vintage before the
Communists nationalized the vineyards. In Tokaji, as
in almost all of Europe, a great vintage. Tasting notes
from Micheal Broadbent for this wine: " Richly coloured,
old apples and raisins, very rich, perfect flavour and
aftertaste. 5 stars ***** "   
SOLD