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 […]
Salt and Whiskey.
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 […]
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 […]
Thoughts After the Passing of a Whiskey Legend.
Most people think of whiskey legends as having been distillers or distillery owners, but I would argue that America’s “whiskey historians” deserve some of that praise, as well. After all, […]
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 […]
Hiram Walker Gooderham & Worts, After Repeal
The dynamics of the liquor industry during Repeal are of constant interest to me. Those “Big Four” companies had such a huge impact on American whiskey’s future. It’s not a […]
What Was “Cider Royale”?
I came across a letter to the editor from an old Philadelphia publication called the Aurora General Advertiser. This clipping is from September 11, 1799. Only 226 years ago… Aside […]
What is the “Correct Whiskey”?
A little excerpt from a discussion in British Parliament in 1909- debates over whether blends should be considered legitimate, “correct whiskies.” American blenders using Islay malts to blend out American […]
Rye Whiskey is America’s Native Spirit.
I know we love to love bourbon, but rye is bourbon’s wise old grandsire, and we should respect our elders😊 Rye whiskey was also unique to the the United States […]
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 […]