Greendale Distillery; Greendale, Indiana; circa 1920.Whiskey-making in America wasn’t fully industrialized until the final quarter of 19th century, but then it became very big very fast. This is clear from what we know, but hard data to quantify …
Barrels of maturing whiskey.Consider this a thought experiment. Let’s say you have a whiskey distillery. You make a lot of whiskey. Most of it you sell through brands you own and distribute. Those are your most profitable sales, the ones that earn…
It may not mean what you think.’Straight bourbon’ does not mean ‘straight bourbon.’ Huh?Said another way, the legal meaning of the term ‘straight bourbon’ is different from the ordinary meaning of the term. This is a never-ending source of confusi…
Very old bourbons, say 15-years and up, are not for everyone. Wood dominates, especially the acrid notes of char and ash. If that sort of thing appeals to you, and it does to many, the present limited availability and high cost of those products may be…
Kentucky’s 5th Congressional DistrictIn my marketing career, I had only one experience as a professional political operative when the advertising agency I worked for was hired to make and place TV commercials for a candidate running in a primary….
“Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” is a novelty song written and originally recorded in the 1920s. It was revived with great success in the late 1950s and became a hit single.Only somewhat less frivolously, peo…
Historical marker outside She-nannigans, 16 W. Division St in Chicago.In 1951, the City of Chicago enacted what came to be called the ‘barmaid ordinance.’ It prohibited women from “pouring, mixing, or drawing intoxicating liquors” in a licen…
Russian Standard is the only major vodka brand made and owned by a Russian company.NOTE: I revised this post 3/3/22 to include new information about Stoli. I apologize for putting out misleading information. Sorry, fog of war. I’m doing the best I can….
Opened in 2017, the Sagamore Spirit Distillery is in Baltimore’s Port Covington neighborhood. It is the largest distillery in the U.S. that makes only rye whiskey.It is perhaps symbolic of our era that the most faithful recreation of Maryland-sty…
The figure-8 roller coaster at Luna Park, Mansfield, Ohio (c. 1915).I enjoy history and especially the history of places I’ve visited or lived. I grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, a small city midway between Cleveland and Columbus. It’s a place like an…
