Distilling & Drinking History Blog, Early History
Brunschwig’s Magnum Opus Hieronymus Brunschwig: A Renaissance Surgeon and Pioneer of Distillation In the annals of Renaissance Europe, Hieronymus Brunschwig emerges as a figure of remarkable ingenuity and influence. Born around 1450 in Strasbourg, Brunschwig’s...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The Puss & Mew Gin & Ingenious Invention in 18th Century London The 18th century in London was marked by an unparalleled obsession with gin, sparking a societal crisis often referred to as the “Gin Craze.” To tackle this issue, the British...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Old Tom Gin “Old Tom” Gin Inspires a modern American “Old-Style Juniper Liqueur” from the Appalachians “Old Tom” Gin was a cherished libation in the 18th-century English pub scene, and is an intriguing mystique. The depiction of Old...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog, Likör
The King’s Ginger A Regal Libation Crafted for Drive and Delight In 1901, King Edward VII, a vibrant leader of London society, embraced the dawn of a new era by becoming the first royal to own an automobile. His passion for driving in all weather conditions led...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Versailles Treaty & German Cognac WWI & Rise Of Trademarks In 1896, Hugo Asbach, a German distiller (1868-1935), acquired the “Rhenish Cognac” company in Rüdesheim, Germany. Despite not being distilled in the Cognac region of France, Asbach...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Tarascoe Mezcal Early Distilling at Lake Patzucuaro In 1891, the esteemed anthropologist John G. Bourke embarked on an intriguing journey to encounter the Tarascoe people residing near Lake Patzcuaro in Mexico. His exploration led him to the renowned coffee...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Dutch Courage Genever’s Evolution from Medicinal Elixir to Gin The term “Dutch Courage” is used to describe courage that is gained from drinking alcohol. Franciscus Sylvius de Bouve (1614–1672), a Dutch chemist and alchemist, is often named as the...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Vital Du Four Gin & Ingenious Invention in 18th Century London Cardinal Vital du Four (Vitalis de Furno) was a distinguished Franciscan theologian, scholastic philosopher, and alchemistic scholar whose influence spanned the intellectual landscape of Southwest...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
The Story of Madeira Wine Madeira Wine: A Toast to America’s Founding Fathers and Historic Moments The history of Madeira wine is as rich and complex as the wine itself, dating back centuries and entwined with the cultural and economic development of the...
Distilling & Drinking History Blog
Origin Of Cacao Puerto Escondido: Unearthing the Olmec “Cradle of Chocolate” and Ancient Cacao Alchemy Puerto Escondido, situated in the lower Ulúa Valley in northern Honduras, may hold the title of the “Cradle of Chocolate,” as evidenced by...
