Bourbon Barrels and the USS Constitution

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​“In 1812, the USS Constitution met and defeated the British frigate named Guerriere in a twenty-minute battle.  The British were astonished to see their shot seemed to rebound harmlessly off Constitution’s hull – giving her the nickname “Old Ironsides’.

In that same year, Hunter John built the McHenry Distillery in Benton, PA and started making whisky with the family recipe.  Bourbon was on the path to becoming “America’s National Spirit”.

Two uniquely American points in history, seemingly unrelated.  Both built on a uniquely American resource - Quercus Alba, more commonly known as American White Oak.

The USS Constitution incorporated a new and revolutionary design – something the world had never seen.  More importantly, the wood utilized for the hull was the strongest wood in the world – American White Oak.  Imagine choosing trees to match the size and shape of a part needed for a ship.  The harvesting was painstaking.

And as you know, an integral component of bourbon is single-use, charred, Quercus Alba – American White Oak.

Bourbon is an American Spirit. The longest active-duty Naval vessel, the USS Constitution is an American Icon. 

​Both surrounded by White Oak.