McCormick Distilling Co., Weston, MO

History

While exploring the American west by way of the Missouri River in the early 1800s, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark discovered natural limestone springs in the rolling hills of northwest Missouri. By 1830 these pure springs were supplying water to wagon trains preparing for the long westward trek across the prairies on the Santa Fe and Overland Trails. Years later, Ben Holladay, an enterprising businessman living in Weston, Missouri, saw these springs and knew they provided an ideal ingredient for making great whiskey, limestone spring water. In addition, Holladay recognized that the vast majority of wagon trains were passing west through Weston. The wagon train volume and a desire for good whiskey prompted him to start his distillery in 1856.

Because Holladay's time was taken up with several other enterprises, he turned the distillery over to the care of his brother, David, in 1860. The distillery continued producing fine whiskey that not only found its way into some of the most elegant parties and hotels on both coasts, but was poured in the saloons of the old west. Holladay saw this was a great opportunity and began developing the Overland Stage Line. In addition, he helped initiate the Pony Express, and eventually owned and operated steam ships and railroad lines on the Pacific coast. Holladay supplied his wagon trains, stagecoaches, ships and railroads with the bourbon whiskey distilled in Weston.

The distillery remained in the Holladay family until 1895, when it was sold to George Shawhan. After Prohibition, it was purchased by Isadore Singer, who also bought the McCormick label which had been used for a whiskey produced at nearby Waldron, Missouri.

In 1950, McCormick Distilling Company was acquired by Midwest Grain Products, Inc. The acquisition was primarily to accommodate warehousing needs for alcohol being produced at its Atchison, Kansas facility. However, the company soon realized the importance of the springs for producing premium whiskey. The distillery, thus, returned to its original purpose.

In 1976, during America's Bicentennial, McCormick became one of only two distilleries in the nation to be listed in the National Register of Historic Sites. It received this distinction as the oldest distillery in the United States operating at its original site.

In 1993, the distillery was purchased by a group of private investors. Today, McCormick offers products in more than a dozen categories to markets in all 50 states and 37 foreign countries.