Pennsylvania Distillery History

American Whiskey was born in Pennsylvania. While it’s common to think about Kentucky and Tennessee for American whiskey, it was, in fact, the rye whiskey of Pennsylvania that first put America on the map for whiskey – produced long before southern bourbon. Sit back and relax with your favorite Pennsylvania rye whiskey and learn about the unique history of Pennsylvania distilleries.

The Beginning of Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey

Germans, Scots, and Irish settlers came to Pennsylvania in the 17th century. These early settlers planted rye, which grew well in the rocky soil of the state. In those days, no grains were wasted, so farmers used any excess of rye from their fields and started brewing beer and later distilling whiskey.

Rye was not commonly used in whiskey production before coming to Pennsylvania, but the farmers here used what they had – and Pennsylvania rye whiskey was born.

Whiskey distilling spread west across the United States, and eventually south.

American whiskey evolved in the early days, with farmers using the grains they grew. Southern farms started using more corn, beginning the creation of southern bourbon. But Pennsylvania distilleries continued to use the rye because it grew so well in the region.

American distilleries grew even more after the British began to tax rum. If farmers could make their own spirits with grain they grew, it meant fewer taxes going to the British. This rejection of rum meant great growth for the distilleries of Pennsylvania, which started to see great success after the American Revolution.

The Whiskey Rebellion

Many states were in debt after the Revolutionary War, and the new American government was looking for ways to pay off these debts. In 1791, Congress introduced a liquor tax. This tax was not well-received, particularly in Pennsylvania where distilleries sold their whiskey through barter systems, more than financial transactions. Therefore many distilleries, especially the smaller ones, simply refused to pay this tax.

Tax collectors at the time were threatened and even assaulted by the farmers. It all came to a tipping point in Pennsylvania in 1794, when 700 men attacked and torched the home of a wealthy landowner and tax collector.

President George Washington marched 13,000 troops from the capital city of Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to end the rebellion. It was the first time American troops were sent to fight against American citizens. The leaders of the rebellion were put on trial, convicted and sentenced to death, although Washington later pardoned them. The whiskey tax remained in effect until 1802, when the tax was repealed, largely because it was impossible to collect.

Unfortunately, this tax sent many of the smaller Pennsylvania’s distillers south, helping to fuel the bourbon industry. What was left in Pennsylvania were the commercial producers of Pennsylvania rye whiskey who continued to succeed throughout the next century.

Prohibition & Pennsylvania Whiskey

Prohibition devastated the Pennsylvania rye whiskey industry. Rye was already a more expensive and challenging crop to grow, and once whiskey was made illegal in the state of Pennsylvania, farmers quickly stopped production. The rye whiskey industry in Pennsylvania collapsed almost overnight in response to the lack of demand.

Additionally, just before and after prohibition, the federal government began to subsidize the growing of corn, leading many farmers to switch over to the already less expensive crop. As corn got cheaper and demand for rye whiskey dried up, many farmers switched their production to help rebound their losses after prohibition.

After the wars, consumers started to buy up vodka and gin, as they were more prominently featured in mass media, such as James Bond movies. It was a sad time for the Pennsylvania distillery – after experiencing success for the last two-hundred years.

Pennsylvania Distilleries Today

Luckily, history has a way of coming full circle and today Pennsylvania distilleries are enjoying a rebirth like never before. Pennsylvania eased many of the restrictions on distilleries in 2011 and since then rye whiskey has made huge strides not only in the state, but also across the country. From 2009 to 2014, rye whiskey’s volume increased 536%.

At Eight Oaks, we are a proud part of the rebirth of the Pennsylvania rye whiskey. Our Pennsylvania Rye is made from 80% rye and 11% corn, 9% barley, all grain grown right on our farm.

A clean and bright whiskey with a hint of dry fruit and honey. One glass and you’ll be singing its praises.

Cheers!