Table of Contents:
WHISKEY GOES WEST.
BONE DRY
THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED
SPIRITS TODAY
DISTILLERIES
Fire-Water.
The First People probably made some beverage by distilling or fermenting, but it would have been for ceremonial occasions.
So when does hootch come to Nevada Territory? For that, we probably need to see what was going on in the east first.
A Barrel of Rum
Rum is the first significant alcohol of the new colonies. Why? Because many of the ships from Europe call on the Caribbean islands before moving on the American ports. The islands have been growing sugarcane and making rum for many years before the colonies start popping up.
A Change in the Lower 16 States. (the 1790s)
The British start (heavily) taxing Caribbean rum and the molasses for making it. This fee puts a significant crimp in alcoholic consumption in the American states. There are over 100 distilleries in the U.S. using Caribbean molasses at this time.
At the same time, brand new states, Tennessee and Kentucky, find they have a corn surplus. They, and the territories west and north of them (corn belt) cannot ship it without it spoiling. However, if they distill it, it keeps much longer.
In short, there was too much corn. So whiskey was extraordinarily cheap and extremely available. Americans could not get enough. By 1810 there were 14,000 distilleries in the U.S. and only one new state.
Whiskey on the Go-Go.
By 1840, the California Trail is wide enough for wagons, and people start moving west. They bring the essentials, coffee, sugar, sourdough, and whiskey.
Then in 1848, they find gold in California, and the rush west begins. A majority of the California trail passes through Nevada.
Not everybody makes it to California. Some find reasons to stay in the small towns popping up along the trail. These towns need bakers, butchers, blacksmiths, and Nevada spirits.
When they find silver in Nevada in the 1850s, more people end their trip there.
Some saloon owners are finding they can make whiskey behind their bars. For some, this is cheaper than paying to ship it in.
Unfortunately for Nevada, barley, rye, corn, and wheat are not significant crops at the time. This territory is cattle and sheep land.
They buy barrels of sometimes questionable whiskey that they pour into bottles with their name.
Then in 1861, westward expansion stops and all eyes look east.
The Clouds of War
The Civil War begins. Four years later, the war is over, and America goes into a healing period.
During the war, cheap whiskey is hard to come by.
Out of necessity, commercial distilleries begin opening circa 1862 in Nevada Territory. Where and what they are using for supplies is questionable.
The Cave Creek Distillery in Ruby Valley, south of Elko, makes Old Commissary, probably Nevada’s first commercially made whiskey.
1869 and two trains meet in Utah. The first transcontinental train links the country. Within ten years, there will be several more. People and products begin moving west again.
One of the products they can now get in mass is Kentucky Bourbon. There is a difference in quality. The few local Nevada distilleries begin to close.
Women Put their Feet Down.
The Temperance movement has been building for many years since the war. By 1902 it has reached Nevada.
The local chapter will have two presidents before becoming part of the broader national Lyle Movement. They manage to push Prohibition through more than a year before the rest of the country.
1918 Nevada Is Completely Dry (Wink wink.)
They eagerly pass prohibition because it will improve health, reduce crime, and raise morality.
The health part might be correct. In the first year, there are more than 10,000 prescriptions for medicinal alcohol. There are only 90,000 residents in the state.
As for morality, it became very fashionable to drink. Did you ever have a drink before you were 21? Unfortunately, this was not casual sipping. It was power drinking before the cops catch you drinking. The bad decisions that go with that must have been monumental.
As for the crime, at no time did organized crime grow faster or make as much money. Without tax-revenue on liquor, the state could not afford to fight crime.
Nevada Spirits, the First One Hundred Years.
To distill spirits, you need corn or grain. Nevada is not a grain or corn growing territory in those days.
So you need to import ingredients for distilling. Corn, essential to whiskey, does not keep long. However, in a liquid form, it travels very well.
So, in short, the first years of Nevada spirits involve importing for the most part.
Post-Prohibition.
In April of 1933, the United States repeals prohibition. In Nevada, they keep drinking, but now legally. Soon spirits with less questionable ingredients begin to arrive. Bathtub booze and moonshine take a hike.
Nevada distilleries pop up on every street corner. Well, not exactly.
It turns out it is illegal to distill spirits in Nevada. Those first distilleries may not have been 100% within the law.
Gambling, which became legal in the depression, is pulling in a lot of money. Casinos and gamblers are happy to pay for imported spirits.
Nevada’s out of sight, out of mind attitude will go on until 2009 when someone finally contests it. It will take until 2012 to pass legislation making distilling legal in Nevada.
It will take another three years (and a few laws) before there are guidelines for craft distilleries.
Nevada Spirits Today.
Currently, more than ten distilleries are producing in Nevada. I tip my hat to those who gave it a try.
The majority are in the Reno area, while three are in the Las Vegas Valley.
Between them, they are producing Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Rum, and a few other liquors.
When you go to Nevada, please support them.
North Nevada Spirits
Reno – Carson City Area
- Forsaken River Distillery (2017) – focuses on local ingredients. They currently offer whiskey, gin, and several vodkas.
- Verdi Local Distillery (2014) is putting a twist in several traditional spirits. Famous for flavored whiskeys.
- Seven Troughs Distillery (2014) – using techniques from the 1850s, they produce traditional Nevada spirits. They produce rum, vodka, whiskey, and moonshine.
- The Depot Brewery and Distillery (2015) – is using local ingredients, including corn. Famous for corn whiskey, bourbon, and rye.
- 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing (2017) – uses vacuum distilling. Famous for vodka, gins, and pepper vodka.
- Branded Hearts Distillery (2015) – uses wheat and oats for new whiskey flavors. Famous for whiskey and rum.
- Ferino Distillery (2019) – is a nod to the Italian amaro. Famous for cordials and liqueurs.
- Bentley Heritage Estate Distillery (2019) uses their grains to produce gins, vodkas, and soon whiskey. Twenty minutes south of Carson City.
- Frey Ranch Estate Distillery (2014) – began as a family-owned farm growing grains such as wheat, corn, barley, rye, and alfalfa since the 1850s. Then they began turning them into gin, vodka, bourbon whiskey, and absinthe. They are one hour east in Fallon.
South Nevada Spirits
- Las Vegas Distillery (2012) – The one that started it all. Famous for whiskey, vodka, rum, and moonshine.
- The Mob Museum Underground Speakeasy and Distillery (2018) – specializes in moonshine. They have other spirits and brew beer.
- N Scott Distillery (2016) – specializes in small-batch, premium ingredients. Famous for bourbon, vodka, and blackstrap rum.
Some distilleries do not currently have tasting rooms. You can find their products in stores and some bars around Nevada.
When in Nevada, taste the local products.
Nevada Spirits Summary.
Those distilling Nevada spirits are a small but growing group.
I am sure more distilleries will emerge, and these will grow.
For now, the local spirits, beer, and wines are the closest thing Nevada has to unique local products.