Did you know that Mississippi did not ratify the 21st amendment (Repeal) until 1966? It wasn’t until January 1, 2021 that a new Mississippi law legalized the possession of alcohol […]
Mexican Bourbon History
Let’s look at two bourbon distilleries based in Juarez, Mexico. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that their roots are connected to Prohibition. But first, let’s address a new brand […]
Foust’s Fancy Flasks (& How They Were Shaped By Pennsylvania’s Booming Glass Industry)
The Fousts, a distilling family that had been making whiskey in York County, Pennsylvania since 1840, marketed their products in incredibly unique containers. William Foust had always used creative glass […]
James M. Doran- American Whiskey’s Political Power Broker
Who was James M. Doran, and how did he come to be president of the Distilled Spirits Institute? The Distilled Spirits Institute was an organization formed in 1933 to represent […]
“Sweet” Mash Rye Whiskey?
Generally speaking, Bourbon = sour mash and rye whiskey= sweet mash. Historically, I mean- I realize the distinction is all over the board today. Historic distilling texts reveal that the […]
Brumbaugh’s Distillery in Bedford County, Pennsylvania
S.S. Brumbaugh Near New Enterprise, South Woodbury Township Bedford County RD# 34 9th District “Brumbaugh whiskey, bottled expressly for medicinal use,” was so well known that people began to identify […]
The History of the Miller Pure Rye Distillery
The Wheatland Distillery Miller & Mooney Womelsdorf (Ryeland) Berks County, Pennsylvania RD# 75 1st District There were many large-scale distilleries in Pennsylvania before Prohibition, and though most were in the […]
Distilleries Active in Pennsylvania after Repeal, Listed
I thought it might be advantageous to list the names of the distilleries that were licensed to produce whiskey after 1933. This list was recorded as part of the hearings […]
Pennsylvania’s Highspire Distillery Company
Highspire Distillery The Wilson Distillery (1823-1893) Highspire, Pa Dauphin County RD# 1 9th District There is little doubt that Highspire Distillery would have flourished into the 20th century if […]
Is American Vodka Connected to the History of American Whiskey?
Vodka…In America? America before Prohibition was a nation of whiskey drinkers. I don’t mean to imply that it was alone in the alcohol industry- There were rums, gins, brandies, cordials, […]