Whiskey, in its earliest form, originated in Scotland, where “whisky” has been made since the 15th century.
17th century
The first American settlers bring distillation to the new land in the 1600s.
These settlers use the most accessible grain in the region at the time…corn.
1783
In 1783, the Revolutionary War happens.
America becomes independent and accumulates a massive debt due to the war. Alexander Hamilton decides in 1790 to impose the nation’s first internal revenue tax through the taxation of distilled spirits to pay back the debt.
