“It was the keg, not the bottle that disappeared during prohibition, the heyday of the bootlegger.”– Hugh J. McMackin, Secretary of the National Wholesale Wine and Liquor Dealers’ Association (July […]
The Whiskey Trust
When it comes to the history of American whiskey, there is no more important topic than that of the Whiskey Trust. In fact, American whiskey history should probably be divided […]
Why Are the Insides of Whiskey Barrels Charred?
Occum’s razor basically proposes that the simplest explanation is most likely the right one…That it’s best to avoid the more elaborate explanation when possible. While the principle doesn’t always hold […]
“Old Hickory” and “The Hickoryites”
Andrew Jackson was an interesting character. He was born to Scots-Irish immigrants (most likely landing first in Philadelphia) somewhere between the border of North and South Carolina in 1767. He […]
Is Beer More Varied Than Whiskey?
Last night I found myself in defense of whiskey! A conversation arose about how much variety exists in whiskey and someone said, ”Beer is much more varied than whiskey…” I […]
Pennsylvania and Its Whiskey Rebellion
With the American Whiskey Convention coming to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s whiskey history has been on the brain. Our most famous Pennsylvanian claim to historic infamy is the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. […]
Lets Hear It For The Maltsters!
One of the most amazing steps in making whiskey is the one of the first steps and is often overlooked in its importance. The first step is farming the grain, […]
What’s the Sweet Spot in Age for Bourbon?
So I’ve been asked “What is the sweet spot in age for bourbon?” The answer always goes the same way. “The right age whiskey is the whiskey you enjoy. If […]
What is a Sour Mash Whiskey?
So what is sour mash whiskey anyway? The term sour mash gets thrown around a lot, but it’s really just a technique used in making whiskey. It is not particular […]
Which Rye Whiskey Should I Try?
What ryes are out there and how are they different? I know I’ve talked about this in the past, but I got into a conversation with some folks yesterday about […]