I was recently asked about distilleries that would have once existed in a specific area of eastern Pennsylvania. Why not, right? It seemed a good time to post about a […]
Where Did All Those Whiskey Terms Come From?
I have been thinking a lot lately about labeling terms for whiskey that we take for granted in the United States. Bottled-in bond, straight whiskey, bourbon, pure rye, fine old […]
The British Connection to America’s “Bottled in Bond” Whiskeys
What connects “bottled in bond”, a term we tend to associate with American whiskeys, to English investments? Let me explain… I am so VERY curious about the history of American […]
When Bottled in Bond Was Not Actually “Bottled in Bond”
The Bottled in Bond Act is something that most whiskey enthusiasts can recite the basics on fairly easily. A whiskey that’s bottled-in-bond is a 100 proof, four-year-old whiskey that’s been […]
Do We Romanticize Pre-Prohibition Whiskey?
This question is inevitably asked whenever a discussion about pre-Prohibition American whiskeys comes up. Industry folks tend to be very skeptical about “the old methods.” Their doubts are understandable, though. […]
From 1925 to Repeal: How the Medicinal Whiskey Makers Changed Everything
We’ve discussed the early 1920s, so let’s address what came next. We tend to think of Prohibition as an era of bootlegging and speakeasies…A time between the old timey whiskey […]
The Early Years of Prohibition: The Volstead Act and the “Band-Aid Legislation” That Followed
What happened within the distilling industry during the early years of Prohibition? In short, massive upheaval and a lot of confusion. The temperance groups that pushed for National Prohibition did […]
The Social Dilemma of Prohibition
Prohibition usually conjures images of men dumping barrels or makes us think of bootleggers and gangsters with flapper girlfriends. Prohibition themed costume parties host ladies wearing fringe and sequins […]
The Legacy of the Vandegrift Distilling Company
Vandegrift Distilling Co. Vandegrift Landing & Allenport, Pa. Carroll Township Washington County RD# 49, RD #29 23rd District Founded with California gold rush profits, the Vandegrift Distillery in Washington […]
Another Historic Example of Pennsylvania’s Distilling Past: Fry & Mathias
J. Mathias Distillery Manor, Pa. Westmoreland County RD# 22 23rd District The small borough of Manor, Pennsylvania in Westmoreland County was once home to the incomparable Fry & Mathias […]