The Influence of Prohibition on Small-Batch American Distilling

Small-Batch American Distilling

Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, radically altered the American distillation process. Production, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages were banned across the United States for those thirteen years. While this was catastrophic for the business of alcohol, it also gave birth to the innovation of small-batch distilling and the craft spirits renaissance that is so common today.

What is Small-Batch Distilling?

Small-batch distilling is small-scale liquor production with quality rather than quantity. Used in American small-batch liquor, it allows the manufacturer to produce differentiated products with personal care. It is especially significant in the production of small-batch whiskey, small-batch bourbon, small-batch rum, and small-batch vodka where manufacturer craftsmanship is the main focus.

The History of Small-Batch Distilling in America

Before Prohibition, American distillation was a venerable tradition, and there were various parts of the country that each had their usual spirits. There were tiny, independent distilleries across the USA, the majority of which were family-owned operations producing hand-crafted spirits in small batches. Prohibition closed these distilleries, and the majority of the old recipes and techniques were lost.

The government ban initiated a domino effect with the creation of a black market for alcohol. Its black market equivalent was a shift in the distillation of alcohol, whereby everybody used "bathtub gin" or made moonshine, but the original technique of distilling remained the same for decades.

The Consequences of Prohibition and Its Renewal

Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the spirits business had only one humongous problem to contend with beginning a new. It wasn't until the 1990s that American small-batch distilling began its true renaissance. As USA craft distilling began to build momentum, several new independent distilleries began opening for business, carrying on the small-batch, handcrafted tradition of distilling.

Small-Batch vs. Craft Distilling

Although "small-batch distilling" and "craft distilling" are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. Small-batch distilling is interested in the quantity of production, typically 50 to 1000 bottles per batch. Craft distilling is interested in the quality and craftsmanship of the process no matter what size the run. Both are a dominant force on the contemporary spirits landscape and allow distillers to experiment with new flavors and methods.

The Distillation Process Explained

Distillation itself is quite complicated and requires proper detailed information about the ingredients and distillation apparatus. The process typically involves obtaining good-quality grains, fermenting them into mash, and distilling the mixture in copper pot stills or small-capacity column stills. Such complexity allows for the production of products such as small-batch whiskey or rum, which has a more complex taste than mass production.

Finding Regional Small-Batch Distilleries

The most exciting part of small-batch distilling is maybe the discovery to be had within geographic boundaries. Kentucky, for example, offers high-end small-batch bourbon, but New England distilleries opt to innovate with small-batch rum or craft spirits. From rich, smoky bourbon to citrus-infused vodka, regional small-batch distilleries offer unique taste profiles depending on the place and culture of origin.

Where to Buy Small-Batch Spirits

It has never been simpler to locate great small-batch spirits, with increasingly more independent American distilleries selling their product online or in local areas. Most craft distilling USA businesses let you go through their products directly on their site or at tasting rooms locally. Even local convenience stores are carrying more small-batch bourbon, whiskey, rum, and vodka for customers to try.

Conclusion

In short, the Prohibition legacy lives on in the contemporary American small-batch spirits business. The challenges of the period inadvertently gave birth to the independent distilleries USA and a renaissance for the art of artisanal distilling. The Prohibition legacy is not a page in a history book but an inspiration to the creativity and craftsmanship that define the best small-batch distillers of the time.