early distillers – Dram Devotees

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 […]

“Jug Towns”

Posted on: November 20, 2025November 20, 2025advertising , American whiskey , early distillers , History , Packaging , Pre-Prohibition

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 […]

Rye Malt or Barley Malt? Which Was Being Used in PA Rye?

Posted on: October 5, 2025October 5, 2025early distillers , History , malt , mashbills , Pennsylvania , Pennsylvania rye whiskey , Production , recipes , Rye , rye malt , sweet mash

In historic Pennsylvania rye whiskey mashbills, when a rye whiskey was described as being made of “rye and malt”, the assumption has always been that the “malt” in question always […]

The Value of Maple Syrup in Distilling

Posted on: September 19, 2025September 22, 2025early distillers , History , maple syrup , Pennsylvania rye whiskey , sugar

I felt a touch of autumn in the air this morning and my first thought was…pancakes with maple syrup. (And a giant cup of coffee!) I make my own maple […]

Salt and Whiskey.

Posted on: September 9, 2025September 9, 2025early distillers , History , Pennsylvania

During the late 1700’s, there was a trade imbalance between the East and the West; The west needed goods from the east more than the east needed goods from the […]