Dram Devotees

Proof of Proof? History of Proof vs. ABV

Did you know that “proof” of alcohol content used to be proven with gunpowder? The term proof probably originated in the 16th century. Soldiers had no tools to determine whether […]

Is Distilling Illegal? Yes.

Posted on: October 3, 2015November 7, 2015American whiskey , Distillation , History , Stills , Whiskey Facts , Whiskey laws and regulations

Is distilling legal if you’re just making it for personal consumption? NO. It is very much ILLEGAL. I get these questions a lot. Why would they sell stills smaller than […]

Angel’s Share Effect

Posted on: October 2, 2015November 7, 2015Aging Techniques , Barrels , Whiskey Facts , Whiskey Science

How does the angel’s share affect my whiskey? A lot of different things affect the flavors in whiskey, not least of which is the addition of water or loss of […]

The Whiskey Wars

Posted on: October 1, 2015November 7, 2015History , Reference , Taxes

Maybe you’ve heard about the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, but the Whiskey Wars? October, and conversations with people about pre-Prohibition whiskeys, got me thinking about the Whiskey Wars. They began […]

Springbank, 2 1/2 Times Distilled Whisky

Posted on: September 30, 2015January 22, 2023Distillation , Distilleries , Scotch , Whiskey Facts

We know American whiskey and scotch are usually distilled twice, and Irish whiskey is often distilled three times, but 2 1/2 times? Springbank whisky is distilled two and half times. […]

Bourbon County History

Posted on: September 29, 2015January 21, 2023Bourbon , Distilleries , History , Whiskey Facts

Did you know that Bourbon County was originally part of Virginia? Bourbon County, Kentucky may not be the namesake for our favorite American liquor…So if not Bourbon County, KY, where […]

Laird’s Apple Jack- America’s First Licensed Distillery

Posted on: September 28, 2015January 22, 2023Aging Techniques , cocktails , Distillation , Distilleries , History , Whiskey Facts

It’s autumn now and that makes me think of applejack… Laird’s applejack is not whiskey, but it was the first licensed distillery in the United States. I’m particularly proud of […]

The Pope is In Philadelphia!

Posted on: September 26, 2015January 22, 2023Famous Whiskey Drinkers , Scotch

So the pope’s here in Philadelphia…does he drink whiskey? Apparently, there are no papal dietary restrictions. Seems the pope can drink and eat what he likes. Pope Benedict XVI was […]

Mash Bills in America

Posted on: September 25, 2015January 22, 2023Aging Techniques , American whiskey , Bourbon , Canadian Whisky , Corn , Distillation , Irish Whiskey , Reference , Rye , Scotch , Whiskey Facts

Did you know that mash bills are really only used in American whiskey production? American distilleries refer to the proportions of grains used as their “mash bill”. There are quite […]

History of Rebel Yell in America

Posted on: September 24, 2015April 17, 2024American whiskey , Bourbon , Distilleries , History , Whiskey Facts

Rebel Yell is one of those old throwbacks. A “wheated” Kentucky bourbon. And yes, it was manufactured at Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville beside whiskeys that were bottled by the Van […]