25 years ago....

This past Valentine's Day, amid all the love and happiness, there was one event that, outside the world of American whiskey, went unnoticed. On February 14th, it's been 25 years since Michter's was in operation. It was Valentine's Day 1990 when Dick Stoll and the crew locked the doors one last time. Much has changed in 25 years. Dick is still with us, as is his wife Elaine (Who was a tour guide.). So are a handful of other employees. And the myriad of decanters! And the cups, hats, trays, lighters, aprons, postcards, lamps, barrels, and other Jug House trinkets. Even the "Barrel-a-day" still is in use in Ohio by the Herbruck family at Tom's Foolery Distillery. The property, however, has vastly changed. Due to neglect over the last 25 years, most of the buildings had to be taken down. The Bomberger Warehouse, Warehouse B, Warehouse C, Warehouse D, the column still tower, the grain drying building, the Jug House, and the Grain and Fermentation buildings are all gone. Only the Still House, gauging building, Warehouse A/Rectifying and Bottling, and 2 of the pump houses stand. And I must say, they DO look the best they've looked in 25 years. The Barry family put the correct windows back in the Still House and everything still standing got a nice coat of paint. Even the hex signs were redone on the top of the Still House. I must commend them for doing that. While it is a shame that the other buildings were removed, they were a hazard and most likely in too bad of condition to save. So on Valentine's Day, I had to do one thing- go visit the distillery with a bottle of the finest Sour Mash ever made!