James Crow and Old Crow whiskey, as we explore in the third of our nine part series, embody the story of America’s native spirit, and both played central roles in the frequently tumultuous first two hundred years of bourbon history.
The James Crow Chronicles: Part 8 (Old Crow Distillery)
The James Crow Chronicles: Part 8 (Old Crow Distillery) chronicling the life of James Crow, an extremely important figure in the history of American whiskey. A chemist originally from Scotland, he is credited by some as having invented the sour mash process. Watch this time slot on Thursdays (11am Pacific Time) for the other articles.
Old Oscar Pepper distillery 1865 to 1869
After Oscar Pepper’s death in June 1865, his 35-year-old wife, Nannie took over the farm. Her eldest son, James was 15 years of age, her youngest (Presley) O’Bannon only three. The farm was divided amongst the seven children into varying allotments with O’Bannon awarded an ‘unequal’ 126 acre-block also containing the homestead buildings and distillery complex by the creek, giving Nannie oversight of the distilling business and custodial control of the farm and its assets. In late 1865, Nannie leased the distillery to her neighbour and relati