A Visit to Sand Key Light

Early Days of the Tower Construction

     The day was a bit choppy, and the tide was in so none of the sand bars were showing, but the Sand Key Light still stood majestically out there in the ocean.   This is the first opportunity that I have had to see the light up close and personal.   I is awesome to see and understand what it has been through during its lifetime.


    First built as a brick tower in 1827, and it was damaged by a hurricane in 1844, and toppled by the "Great Havana Hurricane of 1846" as the sand on the island was washed away.  The lighthouse keeper wand five others were killed as a result.

 

Sand Key Light Today

     The lighthouse was reconstructed as a tower with a screw pile foundation, finally completed after several budget problems related to Federal Government issues.  Completed in 1853 and was the first to use a hydraulic lamp and a first became automated in  1938.

    The tower's open construction allowed the light to survive many hurricanes since it's reconstruction.  Though suffering minor damages in several storms, it stood strong until the tower was severely damaged by a fire in 1989.  The tower was reconstructed and put back in operation in 1998.

     This is a great place fore fishing and diving, and just a really cool place to visit and enjoy a day on the boat.  ;o)



Remembering Your Favorite Bars From Your College Years

    Ever sit and wonder to those old bar's from your college years, the ones you don't remember leaving, but always return to the next opportunity?     I was thinking about Marino's Club, in Arcata, California the other day and went and did some research into it.   It was disappointing to find that it burned to the ground on July 25, 2001.

     The venerable old building was built in 1891 as the Union Hall Association.  "Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Banducci and Pritchard opened a bar on the site, but within a few years Marino Orlandi replaced Pritchard in the partnership, and in the late 1930s Marino bought out his partners. Then in 1947 he bought the building and converted the upstairs into apartments. Included in the bar were two alleys and the establishment was called the Arcata Bowl."

Beautiful Place in it's hay days

     It was the place in town that you took your date, it was a classy place that allowed you to impress her and just have a really fun evening.   They made all the classic and famous Tiki cocktails of the day.  The late 1960's I'm talking about.   It was probably one of the most memorable bars of my youth.

Sad Ending for a Fine Establishment

    Have you visited your old haunts lately?   Give it a try, it can be a blast or you might find that the era is gone, but in Arcata, the still talk about Marino's Club to this day.         It is fun to take a trip back in time to visit in your mind to the places that you learned a lot about life.  It is not so much fun to find that it has been lost and now just a memory in old photographs.  One of my fraternity brothers wrote "At night they used a lighting that made white clothes glow.  At the time I thought that was very sophisticated."   It was the little things that you always remember the most.

 

July 25, 2001

 

 



  

Get Your Alcohol in Vapor Form, What's Next?

     There is a new and different way to enjoy your cocktails these days being introduced here in the United States.  Vapshot is an interesting and  refreshing new way to enjoy mix drinks, cocktails or shots.  You can have as straight shop or put a mixed drink into the container and just add the vaporized alcohol to the mix.   "Vapshot is served in specially designed containers, which are pressurized and premixed with various spirits. When served, you simply twist the cap and a portion of the liquor will instantly vaporize right before your eyes."  " The process brings out the true flavor of the liquor, making it an aromatic and pleasant experience."  The vapor is taken in by using a straw drawing out the remaining liquor left in liquid form for you to drink as with any normal cocktail.

 The Vapshot comes in two styles, one for home use and the Vapshot Mini for personal on the go use.  “Vapshot Mini is small and portable so it’s is ready to hit the road when you are. Use it by your pool, on your boat or even when you’re camping.   They have a good video on their website at http://www.vapshot.com/vapshot-mini-1.html 

 

     This is an odd system, but OSHA has shown that it will work at safe levels.  I really don't know if I'm willing to spend $700 to vaporize my cocktails.  A few months ago they introduced "powdered alcohol, today it's vaporized alcohol cocktails.  What is next?  Maybe in leaf form so we can smoke our cocktails and compete with the marijuana industry.  Now you can watch your alcohol go "up in Smoke"  ;o)

    

Celebrating the 115 Years of Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

1939 Cuba

     Today is Ernest Hemingway's 115th birthday.  It makes me think of all the places, people and events that made up this incredible life.   Born in Cicero, IL (Chicago), then traveled all over the world to have his live end in Ketchum, ID  

     Learned to hunt and fish at a family cabin in Northern Michigan, an ability that would follow him through out his life.  He was on the high school paper mostly writing about sports.  Later he would get a job with the Toronto Star, where he feels like he learned to be a writer.  "On the Star you were forced to learn to write a simple declarative sentence. This is useful to anyone. Newspaper work will not harm a young writer and could help him if he gets out of it in time."



WWI 1918

     Served as a ambulance drive for the Italian Army during WWI until being injured.  He also received the Italian Silver Medal for Bravery.  he covered the Spanish Civil War as a correspondent and the same during WWII including such battles as the D Day Landing.

     From his early short stories to the novels his writing followed the lessons he had learned working as a newspaper writer, simple and easy to read and understand.  This is the formula that mad his books so well liked and finally earned him a Pulitzer Prize for The Old Man and the Sea.

Ernest, Gregory and Patrick in Cuba

     He was married four times and lived all over the world, but he has really left his mark on Key West, Paris, and Havana.  The houses that he lived in in Key West and Havana are revered and visited daily by hundreds and hundreds of people.  The displays of his "stuff" and his lifestyle make for a very interesting visit.

Marlin Fishing in Bimini

    Happy Birthday to the Man, he lived larger that life and he remains as the "man's man" even 53 years after his passing.

Summer Sunsets at the Hurricane Hole

     One wonderful thing about the summer is the late sunsets.  I'm off work and at one of my favorite hangouts on the water and get to enjoy these beautiful sunsets nearly every day.   Yesterday was no exception.  I just hope that you can enjoy your last vestiges of daylight like I get to.  ;o)

National Daiquiri Day

     Today is National Daiquiri Day here in America.  I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate it than by enjoying an original Cuban Daiquiri.  The daiquiri’s broadly accepted history credits a U.S. engineer Jennings Cox with creating the daiquiri.  


     Following the Spanish-American war of 1898 he was sent by the Spanish-American Iron Company to manage mines in the Sierra Maestra region of Cuba .  As you'd expect the conditions were harsh, yellow fever was endemic so the engineers were given good wages and a tobacco ration, plus Cox also negotiated a monthly ration of the local white rum.  One of the mines that Cox worked in was located in the village of Daiquiri, for which the cocktail was named.   

La Floridita Daiquiri

* 1 1/2 ounces rum (Matusalem Platino)
* 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
* 1/4 ounce simple syrup (Cane Syrup)
* 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur (Luxardo)
* Splash of fresh grapefruit juice
* Lime wedge for garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a blender with about 4 oz. of ice and blend until smooth (about 30 seconds) pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.

     This is the original “Frozen Daiquiri” and was the fourth attempt by Constante Ribalaigua to create the  Daiquiri Floridita in Havana.    Jennings Cox created the original Daiquiri, a shaken version that contained rum, limon verde, and sugar, all shaken over ice.   Hemingway himself was a diabetic, and could not drink cocktails with sugar, so Constante, head barman and owner of El Floridita came up with a special Daiquiri for “Papa”.    Hemingway as the story goes told Constante to take the Daiquiri Floridita and drop out the sugar and double the rum, and Hemingway’s  “Papa Doble” was born.

     Hemingway proudly owns the El Floridita house record of 16 double Daiquiris.  He didn’t want sugar in his Daiquiri; those 16 drinks, if traditionally made, would have involved nearly two cups of sugar.  If the alcohol didn’t kill him, the sugar certainly would.

 

Papa Doble

* 3 ounces rum (Matusalem Platino)
* 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
* 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur (Luxardo)
* Splash of fresh grapefruit juice

Combine liquid ingredients in a blender with about 4 oz. of ice and blend until smooth (about 30 seconds) pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wedge. 

     Enjoy your National Daiquiri Day the way you want to, but if you haven’t tried a daiquiri, then find a place that can make you a real one or just make your own, but do try one.  ;o)

The Spirits Business Announces the Top 10 Best Selling Rums for 2013

     I find it interesting every year as the top ten lists of spirits sales are announced what has transpired in the past year.  Here is what the Spirit Business has found to be the results of the marketing and the promotions to get you to try and hopefully consume their rums.

     However, the brand didn’t quite make it into our list of the world’s best-selling rum brands, beaten by 200,000 case sales of its nearest rival.

     Ask many of the  rum producers and they will concur that 2013 was somewhat transformational for the category, despite overall declining volumes among the top-selling brands.

    The category continued to experiment with flavors and ageing methods and also continued its ascent up the premiumisation ladder with the launch of an increased number of sipping variants.

     Growth could be clawed back this year as, according to data agency Euromonitor, global rum volumes will experience a solid 17% rise between 2011 and 2009 to 1.7 billion liters.

     Based on figures outlined in The Spirits Business‘ “Brands Champions 2014” – where the exceptional category performers are picked out from among the million case selling brands – we identify which are the most popular rum brands across the globe.

    The number one spot could soon by usurped as top-performing Philippines rum Tanduay, which declined to publicize its results for the past year.

10. Appleton

2013 case sales: 1.2m
2012 case sales: 1.2m
Growth in 2013: 0%

Sales of Gruppo Campari’s Appleton Estate have remained remarkably steady for the past few years, with 1.2m nine-liter case sales every year since 2008. However, as some other top-selling brands experience declines, 2014 marks the first year that the Jamaican rum has entered into the top 10 best-selling rum brands list. The distillery released the world’s oldest commercially available rum, the Appleton Estate 50 Years Jamaica Independence Reserve, in June 2012. One month later, Italian drinks group Campari acquired Lascelles de Mercado, the Jamaican company that owns Appleton Estate, for US$414.8million. 

9. Montilla

2013 case sales: 1.5m
2012 case sales: 1.7m
Growth in 2013: -12%

After experiencing slight to stagnant growth over the past five years, Pernod Ricard’s Montilla rum, experienced a 12% decline, dropping from sales of 1.7m cases to 1.5m cases. However, the brand still managed to climb one place to ninth best-selling rum brand. The rum, consumed predominantly in Brazil, has yet to repeat its pre-recession success and smash back through the 2m case mark. The rum was launched in 1957 and is named after the the municipality Spanish Montilla.

8. Madira

2013 case sales: 1.8m
2012 case sales: 2.0m
Growth in 2013: -10%

Another brand which experienced a significant decline in 2013 is Madira rum, which slipped from 2m case sales, to 1.8m. Owned by Indian drinks group Tilaknagar, the brand’s decline comes just one year after witnessing a staggering 43% uplift in volumes, making it the fastest growing rum brand of 2012, and the fastest growing spirit on the year’s list of Brand Champions.

7. Cacique

2013 case sales: 2.2m
2012 case sales: 2.1m
Growth in 2013: 5%

Venezuelan Cacique rum, owned by drinks giant Diageo, is the top-selling rum in its home market and has also gained in favour across the world. Amid a wealth of declines in 2013, Cacique managed to report volume growth of 5%, from 2.1m to 2.2m. Launched in 1959, Cacique means “chief of the tribe” in Spanish. The brand, a blend of several rums which have been triple distilled and aged for two years in white oak barrels, includes Añejo, 500, and Antiguo variants.

6. Contessa

2013 case sales: 2.5m
2012 case sales: 2.4m
Growth in 2013: 4%

Owned by Indian drinks company Radico Khaitan, Contessa XXX Rum experienced a return to growth after four years of flat sales. In August last year, Radico revealed that its profits had grown almost 11% thanks to the performance of its premium brands, including Contessa rum.

5. Brugal

2013 case sales: 3.5m
2012 case sales: 4.1m
Growth in 2013: -13%

Brugal rum, owned by UK drinks group Edrington, saw the most significant decline out of the entire million case-selling rum brands in 2013, falling 13% from 4.1m case sales to 3.5m. Despite being the number one best-selling rum in the Caribbean and Spain, Brugal failed to meet expectations in Southern Europe last year, causing Edrington to adjust its view of future cash flow. Despite its struggles, Brugal’s sales grew 22% in the US, driven by those in New York, Boston and Chicago.

4. Havana Club

2013 case sales: 3.8m
2012 case sales: 3.8m
Growth in 2013: 2%

Pernod Ricard’s Havana Club rum continued to experienced success in 2013 with a 2% uplift in sales. Despite missing out on the key US spirits market due to sanctions over trade with Cuba, Havana Club remains one of the most well-known rum brands in the world. The brand experienced a blow in 2012 when a long-running trade mark battle with Bacardi over its own Havana Club rum title –  a US-based rum brand produced in Puerto Rico – came to a head and the US government refused to let Pernod Ricard’s Havana Club renew its trademark in the country.

3. Captain Morgan

2013 case sales: 10.3m
2012 case sales: 10.0m
Growth in 2013: 3%

Jumping from fourth to third place on this year’s best-selling rum brands list is Diageo’s category colossus Captain Morgan, which experienced a 3% lift in case sales in 2013, from 10m to 10.3m. The brand has pushed ahead with its innovation strategy in recent months, challenging Bacardi’s dominance in the white rum market market with the release of Captain Morgan White Rum. It also enhanced its premium credentials with the launch of a limited edition Sherry Oak Finished Spiced Rum last year. However, the brand has experienced its fair share of set-backs in recent months. In March this year, Diageo launched legal action against Heaven Hill’s Admiral Nelson’s rum, alleging it uses “copycat” branding. Meanwhile, in February this year, Diageo was forced to pull an advertisement for Captain Morgan in the UK after the ASA ruled it linked alcohol and “aggressive behavior”.

2. McDowell’s No. 1 Celebration

2013 case sales: 19.0m
2012 case sales: 17.7m
Growth in 2013: 7%

Moving up from third to second place this year is McDowell’s No.1 Celebration rum, owned by Indian drinks company United Spirits. McDowell’s is the fastest growing rum brand among the million case sellers, experiencing an increase of 7% in 2013, moving even closer to the 20m case milestone. The brand was launched in 1991 with case sales of just 100,000, but has grown rapidly in years since to become to second best-selling rum brand, hot on the heels of world’s number one. The McDowell’s umbrella also has brands included in our list of the best-selling Indian whiskies and the most popular brandies.

1. Bacardi

2013 case sales: 19.1m
2012 case sales: 19.8m
Growth in 2013: -4%

Despite a 4% decline in 2013 to 19.1m cases, Bacardi has retained its place as the world’s best-selling rum brand. The Bermuda-based company – the world’s largest family-owned drinks firm – continued its foray into the flavored rum category last year and also boosted the super-premium end of its portfolio with the launch of The Facundo Rum collection, a limited edition range of aged sipping rums. It remains to be seen if Bacardi can cling on to this position next year if Philippine brand Tanduay rum discloses its results.

You can Read more at http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/07/the-worlds-10-best-selling-rum-brands/

     I hoe that this slow down in 2013 will be followed by a growth of the category in 2014.  With the move to more premium rums and the overall quality of the rums being produce, I feel that it category is due for a resurgence in 2014.  ;o)


 

The Historic Bahia Honda Bridge

     Between 1905 and 1912, Henry Flagler and his crews built the Florida East Coast Railway that ran from Miami to Key West.   The Bahia Honda Channel was very deep compared to the other crossings and a different approach to bridging it was required.  Flagler's engineers decided to us a truss construction method to traverse the channel.   The center span utilized a "Parker Truss"to connect the 247 foot opening, the 186 foot spans used "Pratt Trusses", and smaller 128 foot "Pratt Trusses" on the remaining 13 spans.  All of these trusses were connected by pins making it the longest pin connected bridge in America.

     The Railroad operated until the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 blew the train off of the track and did serious damage to the rail bed.   The bridge was late sold to the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District and converted to vehicle usage.  Unlike the other bridges that the highway could just be widened and laid right on top of the existing rail bed, there was no way to widen the rail bed within the trusses.  The answer was to build road bed on the top of the bridge.  The Bahia Honda Bride was the first to be bypassed and by 1972 after the west end deck girder was removed.  
    

 
   While most of the bridge is now abandoned, the east end of the highway bridge is used by the
Bahia Honda State Park for pedestrian traffic.  The Gap is the water entry into the Beautiful Bahia Honda Bay.  The view from the bridge offers a spectacular view of the surrounding keys.

     Unfortunately, the bridges days are numbered.  The corrosion of the steel trusses and the falling
debris from the bridge is rapidly becoming a serious problem.  There is a plan being considered for it's removal in the near future.  If you haven't seen of visited this amazing piece of Henry Flagler's historic railroad, do so before it is gone.  This is an amazing sight to see and to see from atop of it.  ;o)

Hurricane Season is a Month and a Half Old, So Far So Good

     Summer is a double edge sword down here in the tropics, it is beautiful, relatively calm winds and beautiful sunshine most every day.  This is the perfect time to be out on the water and enjoying the good  life.  The water is crystal clear and you have a clear view of the bottom with all of the exciting wild life every time you are out on the water.

     The other edge of the sword is that it is hurricane season.   All of the warm weather raises the water temperature of the ocean and the gulf to the point that it is good fuel for hurricanes and very strong thunder storms as well.   A couple of good solid thunder storms with lots of rain helping to  keep the water temperature in check is also a very nice event, keeping things in check.

 















     Even though the water temperatures are very warm right now, the forcast is still good.  There are no tropical disturbances in sight and the weather remains beautiful.  I can deal with the warm, but we really don't need a major storm to start kicking up this year.

     I guess that hurricanes are the price you have to be willing pay when you live in your paradise here in the tropics.  Thunder storms that can kick up at any time and the occasional hurricane are not as much of a problem is you keep yourself prepared.   Just be ready and have a plan in mind to deal with it and then just ride it out, preferably with a good supply of great rum.  ;o)

 

 



Summer is Daiquiri Time

   Summer is Daiquiri time,. and with Hemingway Days getting underway here in Key West it is time for some Daiquiri ideas.   I find the Daiquiri one of the most refreshing cocktails ever, and one that you can make easily and quickly on the patio or the aft deck of your boat.

    All you need is some rum, sweetener, and lime juice.  Then you get to let your imagination loose and make it a special cocktail of your own.   I love to experiment with the daiquiri format and it is always amazing to me how good they usually turn out to be.

Here is an idea I had a while back that turned out to be pretty good.  Give it a try and enjoy the afternoon time where ever you do that kind of thing. 

XO Daiquiri 

·         2 oz. Mount Gay XO

·         ½ oz. Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao

·         ½ oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

·         ½ oz. Lemon Juice

·         2 Dashes Orange Bitters

Pour all ingredients into a blender with 1 cup of Ice blend until smooth.  Pour into a Martini glass and garnish with a lime or lemon wheel.

Caribbean Rum Company Introduces Cane Rum

    Chris Blair form Caribbean Rum Company dropped by the Rum Bar yesterday to introduce me to a new white "cachaca style" rum.   Made from 100% premium Mexican red and blue cane.  The fresh harvested cane is immediately pressed and sent to fermentation  where it spends the next five days fermenting naturally with no additives.

    The rum is column distilled to 190 proof, filtered and cut to 100 proof for bottling.  The rum has a distinct aroma of grassiness and sweetness.  On the palate, it is clean and smooth, but the high proof and the unaged qualities of it burn a bit in the back of the throat.  The finish is a nice one that lingers for a while with a dry "agricole" like finish.

     This is a mixing rum, but it would fit very well for a Caipirinha or a T Punch.  I has a clean quality that would lend itself to these cocktails very well.   I think that it is also a good fit for a Mojito or other tiki style cocktails as well.

     I do like the rum, it is unique in its flavor and still a very clean tasting white rum.  ;o)
 

Summer and Back on the Water - Paradise!!

    After the past winter of extended snow and just plain lousy weather it is real nice to see the winds calmed down and the warmth back so a day on the water can be pure pleasure.  Hope you take an opportunity to get out and relax with some beautiful scenery and a picnic lunch out on the water this summer.  Enjoy the experience. 

The International Spirits Challenge Award Presentation Monday

     "The Honorable Artillery Company London is the 2014 setting for celebrating quality and excellence in spirits. Here the world's leading drinks producers, design specialists, marketeers and retailers meet for this prestigious event and to pay tribute to some of the finest spirits, designs and campaigns in the world."
     Trophy winners will be officially presented their awards by the International Spirits Challenge for the Tasting, Design & Packaging, and Marketing awards.
     Guests will enjoy a grand three course dinner accompanied by award winning wines and spirits, superb entertainment, divine cocktails and the opportunity to sample the Gold and Trophy winners from the challenge in our tasting zone.
     "The International Spirits Challenge is the most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competition in the world. The ISC recognises three key areas of the industry: Tasting, Design & Packaging and Marketing."
      The competition is founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, which serves to encourage the high calibre of spirits, designs and campaigns entered into the competition each year. Receiving more than 1,000 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide.

The Gold , Silver and Bronze winners have already been announced for 2014 and there are some old rum friends that have been named winners in the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.

Awards	Points
Trophy	90 to 100
Gold	80 to 89.9
Silver	70 to 79.9
Bronze	60 to 69.9
Special Awards
Individual Distiller of the Year
Distiller of the Year
Supreme Champion
Outstanding Contribution

Gold Winners

1. Doorly's XO
2. Pusser's
3. Chairman's Reserve
4. Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros

Silver Winners

1. Dos Maderas Luxus
2. Plantation St. Lucia
3. Santa Teresa 1796
4. Botran Reserva

Bronze Winners

1. Bacardi Reserva Limitada
2. Plantation Original Dark
3. Havana Club 7 Anos
4. Botran Solera 1893

These are not all of the medal winners, but some of the ones that are familiar to most of us around the American rum world.  There are winners in every category of spirits, and wines as well.  All of the Trophy and Special Awards will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Monday night.  ;o)

Siesta Key Introduces a New Distiller's Reserve Expression

     The first batch of the Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve Spiced Rum  will be available for sale at the Drum Circle Distillery  2212 Industrial Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234
(941) 358-1900 at 10:00 AM on July 12th.  This is going to be a first come first serve event, so plan on being there early.    The details and the rules of the event are available on the Drum Circle website.   You can find out all about the times etc. there.
    

     "Distiller's Reserve" was created by Troy Roberts for his own personal enjoyment, but this personal expression became very popular among his many friends.    Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve Spiced Rum will be available on July 12th to the public at the tasting room of the distillery on a first come basis. Supplies are still very limited and it is currently only available for purchase at the distillery tasting room.   This is batch #1 and a real collectable, and based on the original spiced expression is sure to be a winner in your collection.

     "The Distiller's Reserve spends time in barrels in a traditional solera method. In the solera method the oldest rum is never fully emptied from the barrels. The flavors from the real spices, honey, and Florida sugar cane continue to refine over time. The result is a very special spiced rum best enjoyed neat or on ice."

     "Siesta Key Distiller's Reserve is hand-crafted in small batches in Sarasota, Florida at our small, artisan distillery. We make our spiced rum by infusing our award winning rums with real spices and then adding honey for a bit of sweetness. We do not use any artificial flavors or sweeteners and you can taste the difference. "

     I have a bottle coming to me, and look forward to reviewing it for my self, but if you want you bottle, there are only a very limited supply.  If you want yours be first in line at the drum Circle Distillery in Sarasota when it goes on sale at 10:00 AM.   Troy will be there to sign your bottle and care of as many of you as the limited supply will permit.  Remember there are only 300 bottles in existence. 

 

 

Marijuana Legalization Paralleling Post Prohibition Issues

I found an interesting article of how the new problems created by the legalization of marijuana are ending up paralleling the problems of post prohibition era in the 1930"s.  This is  a very good read.

By the time Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected president of the United States in 1932, the Great Depression had been underway for three years—and Prohibition had gone on for what the literary critic and crank H.L. Mencken quite accurately described as nearly "Thirteen Awful Years." A quarter of the American workforce was unemployed. FDR had run on Repeal, proposing a win-win solution: The federal government would allow states to reopen the breweries and distilleries to create much-needed jobs, then heavily tax the alcohol to pay for what would become the New Deal.


Prohibition, which started as a "noble experiment" in 1920, ended up rolling out the red carpet for organized crime. Violence wracked cities as criminal syndicates fought over territory while the police force, politicians, and Prohibition Bureau agents were bribed to look the other way. Citizens widely disregarded the law of the land, and even congressmen employed their own bootleggers, despite the fact that most voted "dry."

The 18th Amendment had made the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol illegal. It wasn't illegal to possess alcohol—the powerful Anti-Saloon League understood that people would rebel if they couldn't drink the stocks of booze they already had at home. Instead, drys naively believed that people would finish off what was in their liquor cabinets and then simply stop drinking.

Prohibition didn't snuff out the liquor traffic as planned; instead, it merely deprived buyers and sellers of recourse in the courts when sales went sour. Bootleggers met the American public's undiminished demand for drink with a robust but unpredictable supply. Consumers had no dependable idea what they were buying, often winding up with rotgut industrial alcohol repurposed as "gin"—topped off with water in the bathtub, hence the term bathtub gin—or "Scotch," the same brew blended with some food coloring and iodine.

So Americans were sick (sometimes literally) of Prohibition. But the logistics for repeal were tricky: If Prohibition ended, how should the country control and regulate alcohol? With so much money at stake, and with a robust black market currently controlling sales, it wasn't going to be easy to create a new legal regime.


John D. Rockefeller Jr., a teetotaling Baptist and the richest man in the country, turned his back on Prohibition in a June 6, 1932, letter to his friend, Columbia University President Nicholas Murray Butler. The letter was printed on the front page of The New York Times the next day.



Read More at http://reason.com/archives/2014/06/04/how-not-to-legalize-a-drug

This is one of the best researched articles that I have ever run across on the subject of "post prohibition era" and the problems that the US had to face to control alcohol and get the criminal element out of the picture.  ;o)