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Before the American Revolution, rum was the favored drink among the people of the Thirteen Colonies. However, post-independence from Britain, and the decline in availability of British rum ingredients, whiskey emerged as the popular choice. Many American settlers, originating from the British Isles, found this spirit particularly appealing due to its connections to Ireland and Scotland, thereby solidifying its status in the burgeoning identity of the United States.

Whiskey was embraced across all social strata and was especially cherished by American presidents, a tradition that dates back to the very first President. Over the past 250 years, presidents have exhibited varied preferences for whiskey, ranging from bourbon vs traditional whiskey to scotch over bourbon. These leaders shared a deep affinity toward this spirit, with some intriguing anecdotes linked to their enjoyment of it.

The inaugural President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797, moderately enjoyed liquor, with a preference for foreign wines such as Madeira and port’s distinctive sweetness. Additionally, he initiated a whiskey business at Mount Vernon which became one of the largest distilleries in America at the time. This venture, primarily producing unaged rye whiskey, was highly successful and produced 11,000 gallons of whiskey in its peak year, benefiting from the shift in American taste preferences from British rum to whiskey.

Whiskey played a crucial role in George Washington’s professional and political life, notably with the implementation of a “whiskey tax” in 1791, one of the earliest taxes introduced by the fledgling U.S. government. Aimed at managing the debt from the American Revolution, this tax was met with widespread resistance from burgeoning farmers, culminating in the violent Whiskey Rebellion. Despite the unrest, whiskey’s popularity persisted, though the tax itself was difficult to enforce and was ultimately repealed by Thomas Jefferson in 1802.

James Madison, an introverted figure among the Founding Fathers and the fourth U.S. president, maintained a restrained approach to whiskey consumption, limiting himself to a pint a day. By today’s standards, this may appear excessive, yet it was considered moderate in the late 1700s. Back then, people generally consumed more alcohol daily, partly because it was deemed safer than water, which could be contaminated, and potentially medicinal.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, owned and operated a significant whiskey distillery at his Hunter’s Hill estate in Tennessee well before his political career. His distillery was destroyed by a fire in 1799, an event noteworthy for forcing Jackson to pay the controversial whiskey tax on the lost 300 gallons of spirits. This taxation issue, after being dismissed by the House of Representatives, is believed by some historians to have spurred his political ambitions leading to his presidency in 1829.

While his legacy is often viewed unfavorably, Jackson’s inauguration remains a legendary event. He allowed the public into the White House, leading them to inebriation with unlimited whiskey punch, and caused significant destruction. Surprisingly, despite the wild inauguration, Jackson was not typically an excessive drinker, and he continued to enjoy whiskey in moderation throughout his presidency.

Martin Van Buren, who served as the 8th president of the United States from 1837 to 1841, was famously known for his fondness for whiskey, perhaps even more than for his political efforts. He indulged freely and, despite his small stature, impressed many with his ability to consume large amounts of whiskey without apparent effects. His excessive drinking earned him the nickname “Blue Whiskey Van.”

Van Buren’s well-known drinking habits might have contributed to his unpopularity and ultimately affected his re-election prospects. In the 1840 election, his opponent, William Henry Harrison, capitalized on portraying Van Buren as a drunkard, which damaged his public image, even if it was somewhat accurate.

James Buchanan, born in Pennsylvania and the 15th president from 1857 to 1861, was raised on rye whiskey, especially the renowned local “Old Monongahela” rye. At that time, Old Monongahela was celebrated as a unique and enjoyable rye whiskey, but today, little is known about what specifically made it stand out in American spirit history.

Buchanan eventually developed an interest in other varieties of alcohol, but whiskey remained a foundational tipple throughout his life. Living in D.C. once he got into politics, Buchanan was a regular customer of local and renowned whiskey distiller, Jacob Baer. Buchanan ordered 10 gallons of Baer’s whiskey every week, which he went off to purchase during Sunday church services. While he was genuinely an ardent fan of Baer’s whiskey, which he found to be exceptional, Buchanan also enjoyed the spirit’s nickname, “Old J.B. Whiskey,” which was a coincidence of initials fitting for the spirit’s most avid customer.

Andrew Johnson, who would go on to become the 17th U.S. President from 1865 to 1869, advanced rapidly in his political career when Abraham Lincoln appointed him as his vice president during his 1864 reelection campaign. Celebrating early, Johnson partied too hard on the eve of the inauguration. As an attempt to quell his hangover the following morning, he prescribed himself a few hefty doses of whiskey and proceeded to drunkenly rant while in front of the crowds assembled to witness his swearing in. This offended people into calling for his resignation, but Honest Abe was convinced “Andy” had embarrassed himself and everyone else present so thoroughly he wouldn’t dare to try a similar public stint ever again.

Off to a bad start, Johnson’s whiskey-fueled entrance into the Executive Branch of government only spiraled into further disaster after he became president by default a month later, following Lincoln’s assassination. Johnson’s rise to the presidency ended with him becoming the first president to be impeached. A fair bit of whiskey was probably imbibed after that decision too.

Even before he became the 18th U.S. President from 1869 to 1877, Ulysses S. Grant had a reputation for drunkenness, and whiskey was his preferred libation. Prior to his election, accounts of Grant reeling with whiskey in hand during his days as a Civil War general were not uncommon, though his drinking habit might have stemmed from a doctor’s prescription (whiskey — and alcohol in general — was a popular painkiller in those days).

While Grant’s penchant for drinking didn’t impede his military success, his ability as a leader was often debated. A popular story about Grant’s use of whiskey during the Civil War is mentioned in Alexander K. McClure’s 1901 book “Lincoln’s Yarns and Stories.” According to the story, when politicians informed President Lincoln that Grant was a drunk and unfit for command, Lincoln humorously responded, “Don’t bother gathering evidence; just find out which whiskey he drinks, because I’d like to send a barrel to all my generals.” It’s speculated that Grant favored a Kentucky bourbon known as Old Crow, which he definitely consumed, though it’s unclear if it was his preferred choice.

William McKinley, serving as the 25th American president from 1897 to 1901, consumed whiskey more conservatively than some predecessors. Despite his earlier support for temperance, his presidency did not aggressively oppose the sale of alcohol, likely to maintain voter support. McKinley reputedly enjoyed a nightly whiskey before bed. His fondness for whiskey was well recognized, with Scottish industrialist Andrew Carnegie gifting him barrels of Dewar’s Scotch, and the era introduced a whiskey cocktail named McKinley’s Delight in his honor. This cocktail, a variation of the Manhattan, includes absinthe, brandy, and vermouth.

Little is known about William Howard Taft, the 27th president, and his personal stance on alcohol, with his presidency between 1909 and 1913. While not commonly associated with alcohol, Taft generally indulged minimally, reserving it for social events. Still, one significant contribution from his presidency was the 1909 Taft Decision, which established clear definitions for what could legally be considered whiskey.

Amidst tensions rising from the Pure Food and Drug Act enacted in 1906, President Taft faced the challenge of defining regulated substances, including whiskey. This Act disrupted many distillers who utilized specific additives to enhance their whiskey, thus not aligning with the strict new definitions. Taft’s resolution recognized “straight” whiskey as purely diluted with water, while those with additives were classified as “blended.” The preference for either whiskey type is subjective, yet the classification standards set in 1909 persist.

Woodrow Wilson, who served as the 28th U.S. President from 1913-1921, had a fondness for Scotch whiskey either neat or as a Scotch and soda. Interestingly, Scotch played a part in his political journey, with his campaign leveraging a slogan from Wilson Whiskey, which declared, “Wilson! That’s all!” This tagline predating his presidential run was already well known to the public. The strategic use of this slogan aligned Wilson’s campaign with the spirit at a time when the temperance movement was gaining momentum. Despite the pressure, Wilson opposed Prohibition believing it was unenforceable, a stance he maintained throughout his presidency.

The 29th President, Warren G. Harding, secretly enjoyed whiskey during the Prohibition era (1921-1923), a fact quietly recognized by his inner circle. Harding, who also indulged in weekly poker nights at the White House where whiskey flowed freely, was known to stash whiskey in his golf bag to savor during his games. This discreet yet open secret highlighted his discreet rebellion against the Prohibition laws of his time.

Harding’s preference for whiskey during his presidency seems somewhat contradictory since he supported Prohibition prior to becoming president. Interestingly, much of his whiskey came from stocks confiscated by Prohibition agents. Drinking during Prohibition was just one aspect of the numerous scandals during Harding’s presidency, which he did not survive to fully witness as he died three years into his term. The cause of his death is still somewhat uncertain, though a heart attack is widely believed to be the cause, potentially aggravated by his whiskey consumption.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd U.S. president from 1945 to 1953, was openly fond of bourbon, serving during the post-Prohibition years. His daily routine notably included a shot of bourbon. Truman’s biographies note his preference for bourbon started each day of his presidency. He favored two brands of Kentucky bourbon, Wild Turkey and Old Grand Dad, and even received a case of Old Grand Dad as a Christmas gift while in office. Anecdotes often highlight that Truman’s favorite cocktail was an old-fashioned, humorously modified to exclude bitters, sugar, or garnish.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961, developed a liking for scotch during his tenure as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Western Europe during WWII. Stationed in England while planning the Normandy D-Day invasions, he had relatively better access to local scotch, which was otherwise rationed in the UK during the war to prioritize grains for food.

Despite acquiring his taste for scotch during WWII, it remained the favored beverage of Eisenhower even after he transitioned to life as President of the United States. Whether hosting dinner at the White House or serving cocktails to visitors, Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, adhered to the then-popular ritual of a pre-dinner drink. Scotch, particularly brands like Chivas Regal, Dimple Scotch, and Black Dog—all with deep Scottish origins—were frequently Eisenhower’s choice, enjoyed either with soda or on the rocks.

Lyndon B. Johnson, who was the President of the United States from 1963 to 1969, also had a preference for scotch, particularly Cutty Sark. His preferred concoction was a scotch and soda, a preference he insisted on serving milder than usual when accompanied, a strategic move that allowed him a clearer mind during negotiations. highballs were his choice of drink during these times.

Even beyond the confines of the White House, Johnson’s fondness for scotch persisted. Notably, during leisurely drives around his Texas ranch, he relished his scotch and soda from a styrofoam cup, often refreshed by Secret Service agents upon his request each time his cup ran dry.

If you or anyone you know needs assistance with addiction issues, is a victim of child abuse, or has been affected by a hate crime, please reach out to the appropriate support systems and resources provided.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.