Liquor-articles 1905
GERS Fund Sees Losses in Rum Market, Gains in Interest Income
The Matching Fund Special Purpose Securitization Corporation Board of Directors heard the good news at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday but did not touch on the bad news.
The corporation’s capitalized interest account held by Causey Demgen and Moore PC is earning more than anticipated.
Andy Mathes, representing the firm, said the investment this fiscal year earned $5.7 million instead of the $5.1 million expected. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who chairs the board, asked where that money would go. Joel Ephross, also with Causey Demgen, said he was not sure which account it would go to, but no matter which, it would benefit the Virgin Islands.
Bryan said, “So, we have a little change in the bank.”
Another piece of good news for the board is that its operation expenses are predicted to go down. A budget of $700,000 was approved, compared to last year’s budget of $750,000. The Public Finance Authority has assumed the corporation’s administrative duties. Nathan Simmonds, the director of finance administration at the PFA, presented the budget.
Although the budget decreased overall, it will increase in two areas in the upcoming year. Board fees and expenses will go from $55,000 to $90,000, and the PFA administrative fee will go from $154,00 to $159,000.
Simmonds also asked the board to approve payment of $239,000 in PFA invoices. The board did.
The board was formed as part of the plan to prevent the Government Employees’ Retirement System from going bankrupt.
The plan is based on the territory receiving $13.25 for each proof gallon of rum sold stateside from the United States government. The bad news is that because of a lack of action from the U.S. Congress, the territory has only been receiving $10.50 for the last two years.
Simmonds recently told the Senate that there is no indication it will be raised in the upcoming year. He said the government covered the shortfall to GERS in the first year but not in the second year. He said he expected the shortfall to be larger in the upcoming year. This year, it was $34 million.
In other action, the board plans to hold an annual meeting on St. Croix this December. The meeting will include tours of Cruzan and Diageo rum distilleries.
Unlike many news organizations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money, and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.
Now Playing: “The Exorcism”
The search for a missing diver Monday on St. Croix turned into a recovery effort, the V.I. Police Department reported Tuesday.
On Monday at approximately 5:38 p.m., the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call regarding a missing diver. It was reported that the man went diving off the Fisherman’s Dock in Frederiksted around 9:00 a.m. and had not returned, according to the police report.
Read story: stcroixsource.com/2024/06/25/body-of-missing-diver-found-in-frederiksted/
#VISource #TheSource #USVI #LocalNews #News
Body of Missing Diver Found in Frederiksted
stcroixsource.com
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Cherry Pie Vodka Makes a Splash Just in Time for National Cherry Festival
Gypsy Spirits is releasing a new Cherry Pie Vodka this summer. It’s a collaboration with King Orchards in Northern Michigan. Photo provided by Gypsy Spirits. High Five Spirits
PETOSKEY, MI – Gypsy Spirits’ new liquor is meant to taste like you’re sipping a slice of a favorite summertime dessert.
Cherry Pie Vodka is slated to be available at its Petoskey distillery and hit store shelves around July 1. The fruit-forward vodka was born of a collaboration between Gypsy Spirits and King Orchards in Northern Michigan, near Torch Lake.
“This delightful new spirit captures the essence of Michigan’s famous cherry pies, offering a unique and flavorful experience that is sure to become a new favorite among our fans,” Gypsy Spirits staff said. “Cherry Pie Vodka is crafted using the finest cherries from King Orchards, ensuring a rich, authentic taste that embodies the spirit of Michigan. This collaboration combines the expertise of Gypsy Spirits with the exceptional quality of King Orchards’ produce, resulting in a vodka that is as delicious as it is distinctive.”
“`html
The sleek bar area inside Gypsy Distillery near Bay Harbor, in a space that used to be a tack room for the Bay Harbor Equestrian Club. Now, you can get cocktails mixed with award-winning Gypsy vodka, whiskey, and more. Photo provided by Gypsy Distillery.
This new cherry vodka is also a hat-tip to Gypsy Spirits’ announcement that it plans to open a tasting room this fall in Traverse City – a spot that’s been dubbed the Cherry Capital of the World. The new spirit makes its debut around the same time as Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival, set to begin this weekend.
The new Gypsy Spirits tasting room is set to open on West Front Street, according to the Traverse City Ticker. MLive plans to bring you a sneak peek before the opening.
“We love the Grand Traverse area and are beyond excited to bring Gypsy Spirits to downtown Traverse City. Bringing our passion for spirits, hospitality, and community to an area that has meant so much to us since we were kids is a dream come true” said Michael and Adam Kazanowski, the twin brothers who own the brands Gypsy Spirits and High Five Spirits along with the Gypsy Distillery production site, tasting room and events center near Petoskey. Their partner, Michael Kolkmeyer, is the company’s director of operations.
“`
“`html
“This new tasting room will allow us to connect with more of our customers and share our passion for crafting exceptional spirits. We can’t wait for everyone to try our new Cherry Pie Vodka and experience the Gypsy Spirits magic firsthand.”
The brand is known not only for its Gypsy Vodka, but for a spirits line that includes gin, flavored and aged rums, whiskey and canned cocktails. You can see all their products on the website here.
A comfortable lounge area inside Gypsy Distillery near Bay Harbor. Grab a cocktail or drink at the bar and settle in to sip and savor. Photo provided by Gypsy Distillery.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
“`
General Hospital Recap: Finn’s Tough Choice – Violet or Vodka? (June 25 Episode)
After Finn’s drunken night landed him with a restraining order against his daughter on General Hospital, the doctor made his choice between Violet and a bottle of vodka on the June 25, 2024 episode.
Diane (Carolyn Hennesy) arrived at Finn’s (Michael Easton) bearing paperwork that explained not only Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) temporary custody of Violet (Jophielle Love, who recently made a new career move), but the restraining order that was granted. Finn fought the lawyer on her actions before calling his own, and when Scott (Kin Shriner) arrived, things only got worse.
When Scott questioned what happened to make Chase do this, Finn claimed the documented events were exaggerated, but Scott saw right through him. “I can’t fix this legally… you have to fix yourself,” Scott told him, even turning down Finn’s offer to let him keep any money they’d receive from the case.
Feeling like everyone had turned against him, Finn sat hugging one of Violet’s stuffed animals before placing a delivery order for a handle of vodka. “Actually, make it two.”
When his order came, he immediately opened the bottle and was about to take a sip when he looked back down at the restraining order on the table. With a shaky hand inching the bottle to his lips, he suddenly threw the bottle against the wall. The glass bottle shattered while vodka splattered all over the colorful piece of artwork that hangs in his hallway.
Now that Finn clearly chose Violet, a teaser for June 26 showed him finally confronting Chase about the situation. Do you think Finn will get the help he needs to get his daughter back? Let us know in the comments.
The post Finn Chose Between Violet And Vodka On The June 25 General Hospital appeared first on Soap Hub
Rum Unveils Shareholder Voting Outcomes at Annual General Meeting
EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 25, 2024 / Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. (TSX-V:RUM) (the “Company” or “Rocky Mountain”), listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”), today announced the shareholder voting results of its 2024 Annual General Meeting held June 25, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Shareholders voted and approved to set the number of directors at six (6).
The following individuals were nominated and received the requisite majority of votes, becoming directors of the Company for the forthcoming year:
01.
Peter J. Byrne
02.
David Delaney
03.
Chris Queitsch
04.
Allison Radford
05.
Courtney Burton
06.
Gene Coleman
Shareholders voted and approved to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizes the directors to fix their remuneration.
The Company also announces the repayment of its bank loan with Toronto Dominion Bank (“TD”). Originally structured at $2,650,000, the loan was amortized over 36 months with monthly payments of interest and principal scheduled until August 30, 2025. As of June 21, 2024, the Company has settled the outstanding principal balance amounting to $731,809. The Company maintains an ongoing credit agreement with TD, encompassing a demand operating facility with a maximum availability of up to $5,400,000.
About Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain is a public company whose shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V:RUM). Rocky Mountain is the parent to a wholly owned subsidiary, Andersons Liquor Inc. headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, which owns and operates 24 private liquor stores in that province.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “appear”, “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “approximate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “would” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as investment decisions. In particular, results achieved in 2022 and previous periods might not be a certain indication of future performance, which is subject to other risks, including but not limited to changes in operational policies, changes in management, changes in strategic focus, market conditions and customer preferences, the impact from COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and third party suppliers. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, the risks that these events may not materialize as well as those additional factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in RUM’s Management Discussion and Analysis, which can be obtained at www.sedarplus.com. If they do materialize, there remains a risk of non-execution for any reason. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the TSX-V. This cautionary statement expressly qualifies the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information:
Allison Radford
Peter Byrne
President & CFO
Executive Chairman & CEO
(780) 483-8183
(780) 686-7383
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc.
View the original press release on accesswire.com
Grand Valley State Athletics Launches Exclusive Canned Vodka Lemonade
GVSU Athletics announced Monday that it has partnered with Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers to create Lake + Valley Lemonade. GVSU Athletics
ALLENDALE, MI – Grand Valley State now has its own cocktail.
GVSU Athletics announced Monday that it has partnered with Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers to create Lake + Valley Lemonade, a ready-to-drink cocktail. Long Road was founded by GVSU alumni Jon O’Connor and Kyle Van Strien in 2015.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Whiskey of the Week: Savor the Excellence of Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon
It’s funny to think that Russell’s Reserve, master distiller Eddie Russell’s offshoot of Wild Turkey, started off to commemorate the retirement of his father, the even more legendary Jimmy Russell. The special batch of bourbon was laid down in 1998 to celebrate Jimmy’s 45th year at Wild Turkey, with the intention of bottling and releasing it when he decided to take his leave. 15 years later, Jimmy was still sharing the title of Master Distiller with Eddie, with no retirement in sight. The commemorative bourbon eventually came out in 2014, sans commemoration, as Russell’s Reserve 1998 — now one of the most acclaimed and sought-after of all Wild Turkey bottlings.
In 2024, Jimmy shows no signs of stopping, though his duties nowadays are mostly limited to greeting well-wishers and signing bottles at Wild Turkey’s visitors’ center. And Russell’s Reserve is back with another 15 year old bottling that’s already a sensation among bourbon fans and the secondary market. Officially, Russell’s is a collaboration between father and son, but in practice it’s really Eddie’s baby, especially the older expressions, which Jimmy largely eschews in favor of Wild Turkey classics like 101 and Rare Breed. Eddie tells a story that illustrates the differences in their approaches to bourbon: “When I first started tasting with Jimmy in the lab…. I’m like, ‘I get this super rich dark cocoa —’ ‘I didn’t put none-a that in my whiskey!’”
Eddie Russell has made a terrific bourbon, even if his father Jimmy doesn’t necessarily agree.
“Jimmy … he’d just taste it,” Eddie elaborates. “But I always talk about the journey, starting with the nose, because if you walk into a restaurant and it smells good, you’re already thinking it’s gonna taste good. With taste, I want something up front, something in the middle, and something to finish, but I also want the comeback taste. So for me I want creaminess right up front, whether it’s some kind of sweetness or it’s fruity — vanilla, butterscotch — anything like that. And the mid-palate, I want some of the traditional Wild Turkey spices. And then the finish, Jimmy’s big on the super-long finish. This one has that very long finish. You definitely get some of that oakiness in there. Aftertaste is a big part of it to me, too.”
Russell’s Reserve’s 15-Year-Old 2024 Limited Release Bourbon (actually a blend of 15 and 16 year old bourbons, but only the youngest drops in the bottle can be mentioned) ticks all of Eddie’s boxes — and mine, for that matter. And if you love bourbon, most likely yours as well. More than a dozen or so years in the barrel puts any bourbon at risk for excessive oakiness, characterized by a dry, tannic, often astringent flavor. But here, sweet cherry and vanilla notes dominate on the palate, with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. At 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV), it’s no shrinking violet, and the oaky spice picks up midpalate, but it complements the sweeter flavors rather than overwhelming them. It finishes off with long, lingering toffee and oak notes. It even looks pretty spectacular, with a deep, dark, reddish amber color that resembles motor oil more than your typical bourbon.
The 15 year old is a replacement for the 13 year old expression that’s been released on a regular basis since 2021, but don’t expect a sequel of the 15 in the near future — there was only enough on hand for one bottling, the quantity of which hasn’t been made public by Wild Turkey or its parent company, Campari. At $250, this bottling isn’t cheap, and bourbon fans being as zealous as they are, it definitely won’t be easy to find once it hits shelves on July 1. But it’s more than a collector’s item, it’s a fantastic bourbon that’s worth the hunt and the dent in your wallet.
One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.
Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:
So, how can you be a power user?
Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.
Three Arrested After Discovery of 25 Vodka Bottles, Cash, and Gun in Vehicle
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — A call about three people who were passed out in a car near a convenience store on the Navajo Nation led to their arrests after officers found 25 bottles of vodka and a loaded gun in the car, according to the Navajo Police Department.
The department said they received the call about the trio being passed out in a car near a Speedway convenience store in Fort Defiance on Saturday at about 9:20 a.m.
Officers approached the car, a red Pontiac Vibe, and saw a bottle of Importers vodka in the cupholder in the front seat.
The officers then took a 24-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman into custody and searched the car, where they found 24 more bottles of the vodka, a “large amount of cash” and a loaded gun.
The man was charged with delivery of alcohol and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, while the two women faced charges of public intoxication. They were taken to a nearby Navajo Department of Corrections facility.
The red Pontiac Vibe was towed.
The Navajo Police Department expressed gratitude to the individual who reported the incident to the NPD Window Rock District in a post on Facebook.
“Our communities are our eyes and ears,” the post stated. “If you see something, say something, and report it to your local NPD District.”
The three people who were arrested were not identified.
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. – On Saturday, June 22, at approximately 9:20 a.m., the Navajo Police Department Window Rock…
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Taste Test Triumph: This Irish Whiskey’s Unique Aging Process Exceeds Expectations
“`html
For decades, the Irish whiskey category was basically dominated by two distilleries: Midleton, where bands like Jameson and Redbreast are made, and Bushmills in Northern Ireland. Those days are long gone, and the country now has about 50 distilleries either making or sourcing whiskey. One of those is Teeling, which when it opened in 2015 was the first to operate in the city of Dublin in 125 years. Nearly a decade later, the distillery continues to release some very impressive whiskey, including this new single-pot-still expression aged entirely in virgin Swedish oak barrels.
Teeling, now owned by Bacardi, continues to source some of its whiskey from Great Northern, the distillery run by Teeling founders Jack and Stephen Teeling’s father, John. But the team in Dublin, led by master distiller Alex Chasko (an American), also produces its own whiskey, with a particular focus on single pot still. This intrinsically Irish style is made on a pot still at one distillery from a mashbill of malted and unmalted barley and sometimes another cereal grain, although at Teeling it’s a 50-50 blend of the two types of barley. The whiskey is triple distilled and matured in a combination of casks: virgin American Oak, bourbon, and sherry. The core single pot still whiskey, however, could not be more different from the new Wonders of Wood expression, the third in this series.
More from Robb Report
One of Texas’s Best Distilleries Just Released a Bourbon Made From Red Corn
“`
“`html
Some of Buffalo Trace’s Most Coveted Bourbons Are Up for Auction
Taste Test: Russell’s Reserve’s 15 Year Old is One of Wild Turkey’s Best Bourbons
The first Wonders of Wood release was aged in virgin chinkapin oak, the second in virgin Portuguese oak, and this new whiskey in virgin Swedish oak—not a finish, mind you, but full maturation. According to a Teeling rep, the idea to use this type of oak arose after a conversation with an employee at the distillery who was originally from Sweden. Chasko was interested in finding out how it might affect the whiskey’s flavor, which is the whole point of the Wonders of Wood series, and decided to source some barrels. Teeling is not the first distillery to use Swedish oak to mature a spirit, of course, as it has been used by Swedish brands (sparse as they are) for some time. But Swedish oak is certainly not as widely used as American, Japanese mizunara, or (I hesitate to even bring it up), Brazilian amburana wood.
Speaking of which, those of you who have read this column before might recall that I really don’t care for whiskey finished in amburana barrels. That’s being too nice—99 percent of the time, with a very rare exception, I think it’s terrible. But when I tasted this new Teeling whiskey, it kind of made me think of how I wish amburana-finished whiskey would taste, edging up to the brink of being overly spiced but pulling back just in time. Let me explain. There are notes of balsa wood, cinnamon, grape, apple, leather, and sweet tobacco on the palate. There’s a whiff of potpourri, some dry tannic notes, raisin, honey, brown sugar, and just a little barbecue smoke providing a welcome savory hint. All of this comes together to create an intriguing whiskey, with the fruity, spicy character of the pot still at its core utterly transformed but not lost in the mix.
“`
There’s no shortage of Irish whiskey to try these days, especially from the much better known brands I mentioned at the start of this review. Some of these are just fine, while others are truly excellent. But this new expression from Teeling stands out as being uniquely purposeful in its mission to highlight a specific type of wood, and most importantly it’s really tasty. Try this whiskey in an Old Fashioned (I did and it was great), but definitely sip it neat first to find out what it’s all about. And if you get a chance to sample it alongside the other expressions in the Wonders of Wood lineup, you’ll see just how impactful each barrel is on the whiskey’s flavor.
100 Worth trading your first born for
95 – 99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet
90 – 94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram
85 – 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market
80 – 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable
Below 80 It’s alright: Honestly, we probably won’t waste your time and ours with this
Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review.
Best of Robb Report
Why a Heritage Turkey Is the Best Thanksgiving Bird—and How to Get One
9 Stellar West Coast Pinot Noirs to Drink Right Now
The 10 Best Wines to Pair With Steak, From Cabernet to Malbec
Sign up for Robb Report’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kansas Mother Pleads Guilty After Drinking Vodka and Driving Before Fatal Crash That Killed Her 4-Year-Old Daughter
A south-central Kansas mother has pleaded guilty to one count each of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol and aggravated battery in connection with a fiery rollover traffic crash that killed her 4-year-old daughter and injured her then 2-year-old son last year.
Britne Lee Costello, 33, of Wichita, “pled guilty as charged,” said Dan Dillon, a spokesman for the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. She is scheduled for sentencing on July 25, court records show. Her lawyer did not immediately respond to a message Friday.
Emma Rae Lee Fox died on Feb. 19, 2023, two days before what would have been her fifth birthday, her obituary says.
Authorities have said the girl’s mother, Costello, tried to pass another vehicle as she was driving west on MacArthur when she overcorrected and left the roadway, causing her Ford Explorer to roll and catch fire. A probable cause affidavit released in the case says the Explorer traveled in a ditch for more than 300 feet and over three culverts before “going airborne” and rolling multiple times.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. west of Schulte.
A Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office deputy, along with several citizens, rescued Costello and her children from the burning vehicle. However, Emma was unresponsive and succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries after the family was taken to Wesley Medical Center for treatment, the affidavit states. Her younger brother sustained a broken collarbone and other survivable injuries, while Costello had a cut on her neck and a possible broken ankle, according to the document.
The affidavit notes that a deputy who applied gauze to Costello’s neck at the crash site “could smell the odor of alcohol coming from” her and inside the ambulance that transported her to the hospital. Emma’s father later informed the deputy that he and Costello “had previously consumed vodka straight from the bottle while he was” at Costello’s home “dropping his children off and assisting with tasks around the house,” the affidavit reveals.
Blood tests showed Costello had a blood-alcohol content of .112 less than two hours after the crash, the affidavit indicates — exceeding the legal limit of .08 to drive in Kansas.
Prosecutors charged Costello in May. She previously pleaded not guilty. At the time of the crash, she lived in Douglass, authorities have said.
4-year-old died in fiery crash near Wichita last year. Now her mom faces charges
Kansas girl, 4, dies after fiery rollover crash west of Wichita
Cheers to Change: How Whiskey Decanters Reframe Masculinity at Philly’s Museum of the American Revolution
Each program mixes interviews with guest travel experts, your call-ins with questions and comments, and music. We talk about our favorite travels in Europe, as well as travel anywhere in the U.S. and the rest of the world.
John Wind’s kitschy send-up of Revolutionary War heroes pokes holes in the masculine image at the Museum of the American Revolution.
John Y. Wind made a sculpture out of a decanter shaped like Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer who played a role in the American Revolution. The historical record suggests von Steuben lived openly gay.
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
John Wind’s sculpture, “Whiskey Rebellion,” now on view at the Museum of the American Revolution, is triple-aged.
The first rebellion — the one in American history books — happened in 1794 after the newly minted U.S. federal government imposed its first domestic tax on whiskey. It didn’t go over well. A violent insurrection arose in Western Pennsylvania, which quickly diminished.
The second rebellion was in the mid-20th century when distillers like Jim Beam sought to avoid taxes by packaging bourbon in novelty decanters.
Distillers could defer taxes by aging bourbon in bonded warehouses for up to eight years. In the 1950s, the whiskey industry was losing market share to vodka and found itself with a surplus of unsellable product. Facing the inevitable evaporation of whiskey idling in warehouses — the so-called “angel’s share” — coupled with the looming eight-year tax burden, Jim Beam needed to unload lots of bourbon quickly.
Packaging the drink in decorative decanters advertised as collector items worked like a charm. Over the following decades, Jim Beam and other distillers developed thousands of unique designs across a dizzying range of subjects, including Revolutionary War heroes.
“That was the second Whiskey Rebellion,” Wind said. “My Whiskey Rebellion is putting my 21st century self into dialogue with these historical figures, challenging their heroism.”
“Were they heroes based on my own values and what I think is important today?” he asked.
“Whiskey Rebellion” is on view at the museum through June. On Saturday, June 22, Wind will speak to visitors and show off his method of transforming vintage decanters into contemporary art pieces. As a Pride Month event, he will be joined by the Philadelphia Freedom Band marching ensemble, an orchestra of gay and lesbian musicians.
Wind gained access to an extensive collection of vintage novelty whiskey decanters through his fiancé, who leveraged a personal connection to an estate collection of about 300. He uses a hodge-podge of keychains, lapel pins, jewelry charms, stacked books and CD jewel cases to make statements not originally intended by the decanters.
The bourbon industry targeted the decanters to the male demographic and their mid-century man caves: cars, soldiers, hunting. Wind, a jewelry designer, accessorized those male figures to complicate their meanings. The Revolutionary War decanters on view proclaim messages of abolition, gay pride, feminism, self-care, and environmentalism.
Your guide to Philly Pride 2024
This year’s festival includes live performances, an area celebrating the ballroom community, a kid zone and an accessible space to recharge.
3 weeks ago
The centerpiece is a figure of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer known for turning the Continental Army into the superior fighting force that won the Revolutionary War. Seated on horseback, Steuben holds a rainbow-colored gay pride flag and wears an AIDS activist pin, “Silence=Death.”
The historical record suggests Steuben, a war hero, was indeed gay and lived somewhat openly.
“Doing this kind of work, reclaiming my place in the American story, relating to history and personalizing it has been a really cathartic experience,” Wind said. “My hope was, by making it lighthearted and having that sense of humor throughout, other people can also find a way into what’s otherwise very forbidding.”
Museum president and CEO Scott Stephenson concurs that history museums can seem off-putting to some. Giving artists permission — and even encouragement — to take creative liberties with the way history is traditionally presented opens the door to more visitors.
“Not everything has to be grounded in authenticity, as long as you’re clear with your visitors about what you’re seeing,” Stephenson said. “This is the response of a contemporary person who is reflecting back on history and using it in a very clever and thoughtful way,” Stephenson said.
“I was 10 years old when the Bicentennial began, and I remember these decanters around. My dad had a couple of them. You remember them in the gentlemen’s rooms in your neighbor’s houses,” he said.
Baron von Steuben likely did not flaunt his sexuality, support gun control or proclaim “I Believe Her,” as Wind suggests in his assemblage. But the Museum put together a nearby display about Steuben’s relationships with prominent men in Europe and his aide-de-camps on the ground in the Revolutionary War, then poses the serious question: “Was Baron von Steuben Gay?”
“We are interested in presenting history through questions and evidence,” Stephenson said. “We offer the evidence and ask you: What do you think based on the evidence that we present?”
Wind used to be partial to vodka, which was the marketing problem Jim Beam tried to solve 70 years ago. But after a few years of working on his whiskey decanters, he finds himself leaning toward bourbon.
“Now I’m part of the solution,” he laughed.
The fifteen adorned decanters of “Whiskey Rebellion” will be on view until June 30.
Get daily updates from WHYY News!
The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
The last picture show: After a century of exhibitions, the Philadelphia Art Alliance hosts what might be its final art show
The former mansion will close with the rest of the University of the Arts.
23 hours ago
Philadelphia Museum of Art shows how Mary Cassatt got the work done
A major retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art shows how the Philly-raised impressionist focused on women’s work.
4 weeks ago
A rose by another name: A fantasy about in-utero cannibalism comes to Philly’s Fabric Workshop
The immersive, interactive installation “Rose Garden” is a genderqueer fantasy of in-utero cannibalism.
1 month ago
3 mins ago
16 hours ago
16 hours ago









