Pennsylvania’s historically heavy bodied and aromatic pure rye whiskeys started with the grain. The rye grain grown today does not compare to the ryes that were used for distilling whiskey […]
Whiskey History Museums
It’s a funny thing to be so keenly aware of how little attention has been given to Pennsylvania rye whiskey history. The American whiskey industry has been so laser focused […]
The Truth Behind the “Bottled-In-Bond Act” of 1897.
Let’s clear up a few things about the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. I know the “BIB Act” has been written about an ENDLESS number of times, but there […]
Who was George T. Stagg?
Part 1. I have always wanted to know more about the man behind the marketing myth. George T. Stagg’s name has had quite an impact on the bourbon industry- and […]
How Population Density Affected Whiskey Production in 1775
The map below roughly estimates our nation’s population density in 1775. It also gives insight into where those populations were centered. Larger populations consumed more beer and liquor, so brewers […]
The Origins of the Word “Congener”
I was listening to a podcast recently* where the interviewee kept saying “congeners” to describe the specific chemicals produced during fermentation, and I kept thinking- I wonder how many people […]
Where Did the Term “STRAIGHT” Come From When Describing Whiskey?
In March of 2022, while digging for information related to a theory on the origins of the term “straight,” I sought out the expertise of Justin Nathaniel Cherry, an incredible […]
Pennsylvania: A State Split in Half by Historic Conflict.
Here’s a great little snippet of how Philadelphians have always been clueless about the rest of the state. The Whiskey Rebellion is a tough topic of discussion for any American […]
Jenny Lind- “The Swedish Nightingale” Inspires Whiskey Makers
THERE IS NOTHING NEW ABOUT CELEBRITY WHISKEYS, folks! (Sorry to shout with all caps, but if there’s one thing that an #AmericanWhiskeyHistory page should do, it should be to remind […]
The Schreiners. A Distilling Dynasty.
American whiskey history tends to focus its spotlight on company presidents and brand owners. Whiskey barons like E.H. Taylor, Albert Blanton, and George Garvin Brown have been lionized by the […]