There are lots of whiskey awards that go out around this time of year. Lots of “BEST WHISKEYS” lists encouraging consumers to buy one whiskey over another. And, of course, […]
Is Whiskey Medicinal?
I don’t doubt that you’ve seen articles in every whiskey publication about whether whiskey is medicinal or not. There are videos and blogs and podcasts on the topic. Many new […]
Women Behind the Bar in the 1930s.
One of the more interesting shifts in culture caused by the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933 is that women (at least in Pennsylvania) were finally given the right to serve […]
Steamboats on the Ohio River
It’s great to come across articles like this that give credit to the steamboat crews. More importantly, it points out something we don’t often consider. That steamboats and showboats were […]
Were There Distilleries in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier?
I was asked an interesting question recently. “Why weren’t there more distilleries in the north central part of Pennsylvania?” My first thought was- How wonderful that Pennsylvania is beginning to […]
Cyrus Noble’s Three Sworn Enemies.
When you read this newspaper ad from 1913, your first thought might be, “Well, this person hates whiskey and promotes the temperance movement.” But oddly enough, it’s a sales ad […]
Some Much Needed Perspective: Bourbon Vs. Rye Whiskey Distilleries.
(This is a post from my Facebook page, @AmericanWhiskeyHistory, December 9, 2022. But my thoughts have not changed on the subject!) I need to say this because I’m SOOOO tired […]
The Distilleries of Somerset County, Pennsylvania
So much of Pennsylvania’s distilling history has been lost to time. One glaring example of forgotten history has been Somerset County’s distilleries, once well-known in the whiskey trade for their […]
“Jug Towns”
Years ago, I was reading an old history book which referenced “jug towns.” It explained that jug towns were essentially early factory towns. These scattered settlements sprang up around clay […]
Old Grand Dad. In 5 Parts.
Part One. Introduction. Perhaps we should begin where I began- By asking, “Where was Old Grand Dad originally made?” Jim Beam’s website explains the brand’s history this way: “Known as […]