Kentucky Bourbon This page intentionally left blank l(entucky Bourbon The Early Years of Whiskeymaking Henry G. Crowgey Copyright© 2008 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarminc University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crowgey, Henry G. Kentucky bourbon : the early years of whiskcymaking /Henry G. Crowgey. p.cm. Originally published: Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1971. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8131-9183-6 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Whiskey-Kentucky-History. 2. Distilling industries-Kentucky-History. I. Title. TP605.C76 2007 663'.5209769-dc22 2007045738 This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials. 9€ ® Manufactured in the United States of America. ~A• A , I~ Member of the Association of ~~ - American University Presses To My Mother This page intentionally left blank Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction xi 1. Thirsty Colonists 1 2. Distillers Move to Kentucky 21 S. The Product Improves 40 4. As Useful as Money 62 5. A Hateful Tax 83 6. Whiskey of Distinction 105 7. Bourbon Whiskey: Miracle 8t Myth 124 Bibliography 145 Index 165 This page intentionally left blank Acknowledgments Since a substantial portion of this study first saw the light of day a number of years ago, a good many of the obligations to institu tions and individuals have already been acknowledged. Neverthe less, there remains to this day a personal sense of indebtedness for innumerable favors which I am once more privileged to recognize, at least partially. First of all, I am exceedingly grateful to the personnel of the Filson Club Library and the Special Collections Division of the University of Kentucky Library. In both cases the ass:stance and cooperation rendered invariably exceeded the bounds of routine duty. Once again, I would like to recognize those distilleries of Kentucky whose personnel have been uniformly cooperative in supplying factual information, both current and historical. In particular I am indebted to individuals from the following firms: Barton, Brown-Forman, Canada Dry, Medley, Old Taylor, Star Hill, Stitzel-Weiler, and Willett. Several individuals who have been unusually generous with assistance and information are Paul Beasley, Jacqueline Bull, B. C. Campbell, Jr., Thomas T. Gray, Tommy Hamilton, 0. M. Hawkins, Don Hynes, Jack Lancaster, John Medley, Marge Plamp, Frank Rankin, Julian VanWinkle, Jr., and Thompson Willett. Last, but by no means least, I shall always be indebted to Dr. Thomas D. Clark, former chairman of the History Department, University of Kentucky, for his invalu able advice and encouragement on all occasions. ix