North American Whiskey History

North American whiskey history follows the people, work and laws behind whiskey in the United States and whisky in Canada. The articles in this hub explore historical records, disputed accounts and the limits of what those records establish.

Start here if you are new

Begin with The History of Bourbon and Kentucky Whiskey for a regional overview, then read The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794: Frontier Farmers Against a Spirits Tax for an early federal tax dispute.

Founding era

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794: Frontier Farmers Against a Spirits Tax: Read this for the legislation behind the dispute.

George Washington's Distillery: What the Records Show: Read this for the surviving correspondence about the distillery.

Enslaved Workers and Black Distillers in American Whiskey History: Read this for evidence of labour and contributions that have not always been credited.

Fort Whoop-Up and the Prairie Whisky Trade: Read this for the founding and location of the prairie trading post.

Laws, Prohibition and scandals

American Whiskey During Prohibition: What Survived and Why: Read this for the historical restrictions on medicinal prescriptions.

When Whisky Was Prescribed: Medicine, Prohibition and Historical Claims: Read this to examine historical records and medical claims.

The Taft Decision of 1909: What Is Whiskey?: Read this for the decision on the meaning and branding of whisky.

The Whiskey Ring: The Scandal That Reached the White House: Read this for the documented operation of the tax fraud.

Modern stories

Moonshine Running and NASCAR: The Documented History and the Legends: Read this to separate documented accounts from later stories.

Pappygate: The 2013 Bourbon Theft: Read this for the history behind the theft story.

Overview

The History of Bourbon and Kentucky Whiskey: Read this for a wider account of whiskey in Kentucky.