So I was visiting Dad's Hat in Bristol, Pennsylvania with friend Herman Mihalic, when he offered a pour of a 1919 Pensylvania rye whiskey. I was of course elated. Herman is a font of historical knowledge when it comes to rye whiskey and distilling history. Drinking with Herman is both entertaining....and illuminating. There are a handful of people on this level - David Wondrich, Lew Bryson, Michael Veech, and several others, who have this depth of the industry's history at their finger tips.
But what was Gibson's? Few people actually know about it. It's a Philadelphia/Pittsburgh/Pensylvania thing. Eye-roll. (I love PA, I dislike Eagles and Flyers fans). But, still, fascinating...Born in 1794 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, John Gibson emigrated to the United States at an early age, settling in Philadelphia. He started working in the whiskey trade there, and in 1837 opened a liquor business. By 1856 he had established Gibsonton Mills Distillery on the banks of the Monogahela River, just south of Pittsburgh. The distiller was also known as the Monongahela Distillery and was designated RD#14 in the 23rd District of Pennsylvania.Gibson died at the age of 68, and his son Henry Clay Gibson, one of his middle children (who also happened to work in the liquor business with his father), took over the distilling business. Henry was 22 at the time.
According to Jack Sullivan of Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men, "By 1880, John Gibson’s Son & Co. was booming. It featured a blizzard of brands: "Gibson's Rip Van Winkle," "Choice Old Cabinet,” "Choice Old Monongahela,” "Deer Creek No. 4,” "Gibson,” "Gibson's,” "Gibson's Bourbon.” "Gibson's Gilt Edge,” "Gibson's High Proof,” "Gibson's Monogram Rye,” "Gibson's Old Cabinet,” "Gibson's Old Nectar 1840,"Gibsonton Mills” "John Gibson's Rye,” "Pure Monongahela Rye,” and "Record Gibson's Rye."" Gibson & SOns soon became one fo the largest distilleries in the nation.
In 1908 or 1909, the company experienced another of many reorganizations, following Henry's returement, "this time as the Gibson Distilling Co., Inc.," wrote Sullivan. "The president was listed as “J Sinnott,” certainly one of Joseph’s sons. There were three Sinnott sons whose names began with “J,” Joseph F., James F., and John. Since the last did not use a middle initial, my guess is that he had inherited the ownership mantle. The company continued to advertise widely...."
It was from this era that Dad's Hat co-owner and distiller Herman Mihalich, an acificionado and whiskey historian (especially when it comes to Pennsylvania and rye) poured for me a small sample of a 1918 bottling of Gibson & Sons Pure Rye. History in a bottle. The whiskey itself was 106 years old from the date of bottling. The whiskey was 9 years old at the time of bottling, meaning it was from 1910. Keep in mind, Babe Ruth had not yet been traded by the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1919. Woodrow Wilson was President. World War I was just ending. Commercial radio would not start until 1920. And the Model T Ford celebrated its 10th anniversary that year!
The whiskey had a tremendous nose, with lots of toffee and dark caramel. It was smoooth and unctous, and his a lovely hint of Christmas spices on the finish. It mind as well have been bottled yesterday it was so tasty and fresh. Not at all what I was expecting. Absolutely an astounding experience. Thank you, Herman!!
For more information about Gibson & Sons here's Jack Sullivan's post: