On this St. Patrick’s Day Eve, we offer a liquid tribute to the centuries-old bond between the peoples of Ireland and France. There is a history of commerce between the two nations dating back to the 12th century and beyond. Even before 1796, when France sent an expedition to support an Irish rebellion against the … Continue reading The Brotherhood (Aye, but sisters like it, too.)
History
Irish Whiskey Celebrated and Explained
There is so, so, so much more in the world of Irish adult beverages than Guinness—not that there’s anything wrong with Guinness, of course. For the final 13 years of my full-time career, I worked for a naturalized Irish-American gentleman whose motto was apparently, “Who needs food when there’s Guinness??” But yes, there’s more. According … Continue reading Irish Whiskey Celebrated and Explained
Not That You Asked: Russian Vodka Boycotts
Americans do love a good boycott. Boycotts make ordinary people feel like they have a voice, if only we all participate, and I admit that I’m an activist on lots of issues and have joined in a few boycotts over the years. If you think you hear a “but” coming, you’re right. There’s been a … Continue reading Not That You Asked: Russian Vodka Boycotts
That’s Bond. Bottled-in-Bond.
Happy birthday to this landmark legislation. Whenever you sip American whiskey and it doesn't smell or taste of creosote and iodine, raise your glass in a toast to Col. E.H. Taylor (later U.S. Senator E.H. Taylor) and his allies in the distilling industry for working with then-Secretary of the Treasury John G. Carlisle to protect … Continue reading That’s Bond. Bottled-in-Bond.
Nicholas Longworth: The “Father of the American Wine Industry”
I wrote this article as a guest post for “Wine, Wit, and Wisdom”—the official blog of the Society of Wine Educators—which published it on January 3, 2021. He was an unlikely character working with an unlikely grape in an unlikely location that would nevertheless become the cradle of American winemaking: The state of Ohio. Yes, … Continue reading Nicholas Longworth: The “Father of the American Wine Industry”
Here’s a Bar Bet for You
I posted this on my Facebook page on December 5, 2021, in observance of Repeal Day - the anniversary of the end of nationwide Prohibition in the United States. Among the less fractious barroom debates Americans could have, I propose this question: “What was the biggest celebration the United States has known yet?” Our bicentennial? … Continue reading Here’s a Bar Bet for You
The Libation Lounge 