The rain increased in intensity as we pulled up to the old mill door. Sam from Eichelberger Distillery, and TW and I, from Whiskey America ,were there to conduct a whiskey tasting as part of a fundraiser for the historic Heishman’s Mill. The Diller Heishman Mill ground grain for flour and feed from 1805 until 1957. Typically, mills of the era, kept some of the grain for other uses. Often the miller was involved in distilling.
Oh, and early tax records indicate there were two stills on the property. That was adequate motivation for a few whiskeyphiles to convince The Friends of Heishman’s Mill to include a whiskey tasting as part of their fund-raising effort to restore the mill. Of course, there was food, music, expert speakers, and even a historical marker plaque presentation. But this was no “run of the mill” whiskey tasting program!
Randy from Heishman’s and Shawn from the Cumberland County Historical Society in Pennsylvania wanted a “high-end” whiskey tasting. “Something to get people’s attention!” In addition, I would present a re-creation of a party held in September of 1787 at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention. When the 39 signers of the Constitution finished their work, they concluded with a party. I call this program “Spirits of the Signers.” Yes, it was going to be a lot of booze … but also a lot of fun.
The line-up was conceived, negotiated, and obtained thanks to a generous donor who came forth to underwrite the spirits portion of the event. The attention getting selection was three bourbons, twi ryes, two single malts, a blended whiskey and one Irish: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Woodford Reserve Distillers Select, and Woodford’s Double
Oaked represented bourbon.
Sagamore Double Oak and Wild Turkey 101 were the Ryes. Glenfiddich Small Batch 18 and Lagavulin portrayed single malt scotches while Johnny Walker Blue proved blends too can be awesome. Finally, Yellow Spot ensured guests had the opportunity to taste a classic Irish Whiskey. An old Conex container with doors and a window was converted into a walk-up bar. Inside, out of the rain, TW would hold court as patrons approached the bar to compare and contrast whiskies. There was a going-in plan to juxtapose spirits: i.e Sagamore Double Oak vs Wild Turkey Rye 101 or a Highland to an Islay scotch. TW, as a military man quickly realized few operational plans survive the first contact; bad weather can screw-up a plan and Murphy’s Law is always in effect. Wet, damp conditions did not dampen attendees’ spirits or the “spirits” they sampled. Taste profiles were explained, nuances of barrel aging were discussed, and techniques to better assess a whiskey were explained by one of Maryland Whiskey’s most enthusiastic ambassadors.
Across the street, I introduced guests to libations enjoyed by the founders of this country. Claret is “Bourdeaux” outside of France. I used Francis Ford Coppola’s Claret as the representative for this wine. Many of our forefathers also enjoyed port. I used Graham’s 6 Grape Port as my representative. I’m a whiskey man but have been assured 6 Grapes is an “entry level high-end port.”
There were many smiles among the tasters. Even more delight warmed the chilled, damp room as participants sipped the appropriately named Broadbent Rainwater Madeira! The dried fruit, raisiny, figgy taste profile of this spirit acquainted guests with the many good things that happened in America when good men drank Madeira.
Franklin, Jefferson, Hancock, Washington, Adams, and many others were fans. Laird’s Apple Jack followed by a Pennsylvania Rye distilled in the Monongahela style rounded out the line-up. Dad’s Hat Rye was a nice contrast and linked this portion of the tasting to the Maryland-style whiskey promotion taking place across the street. At the conclusion of the Signers tasting, participants were sent off with a generous pour of Philadelphia Fish House Punch. The original 18th century party had seven bowls “large enough for ducks to swim in.” This is a dangerous concoction made from Jamaican rum, French brandy and peach brandy, citrus, sugar, water, and a few scrapes of nutmeg to pull it all together. My bowl was a bit smaller because ducks found on the Conodoguinet Creek in 2023 tend to be compact compared to the fowl found on the Schuykill River in the 1700’s!
Rain continued throughout the event. The damp weather conditions did little to diminish the spirits of the attendees. The night concluded with charitable donations and a few soggy patrons finished off the remaining whiskey. “Rabbie” Burns once stated “Freedom and Whiskey gang thegither”. The Signers would have been proud of their progeny 236 years later.
