The Damnation Revolution

The United States of America. Land of the free. Home of the brave. A country that’s come face-to-face with battles of extraordinary proportions. Ones that have pitted the wealthy against the downtrodden. Godliness versus greed. Charlatans against prophets. And in the early 1930s, it waged a moral war against its citizens’ right to obtain a drink: Prohibition. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to live in America during that heady time, well… pull up a stool and join us for some fine tasting Whiskey.

 

Because Flaviar is joining arms with USA Network’s newest series, DAMNATION, which airs Tuesdays at 9/10 Central, to put you in the heart of Prohibition-era America with the help of some of the U.S. of A’s finest Whiskey. DAMNATION takes you to America’s heartland in the 1930s — a time when speakeasies witnessed shady deals and explosive showdowns over shots of (questionable) Whiskey. At the heart of the battle is Seth Davenport—a small-town Iowa preacher looking to start a full-blown insurrection against the status quo and, unbeknownst to him, a wealthy industrialist tycoon.

 

You’ll need some strong stock to accompany you on this epic saga. Lucky for you, we’ve got just the thing — a Tasting Box with quintessentially American Spirits found in the rowdy speakeasies of the era. Tipples like American Whiskey, Bourbon and Rye. First up, Journeyman’s W.R. Whiskey, a 90-proof trailblazing american Whiskey aged for less than 24 hours in new white oak barrels. Next, New Holland Brewing’s Beer Barrel Bourbon, a smooth criminal finished in Dragon’s Milk Stout barrels. And finally, WhistlePig Rye, a sweet and spicy number aged in new American Oak with a Bourbon barrel finish. If this box doesn’t take you there, well… you should have a second round.

 

Now, pour yourself a drink. Settle in. And enjoy the ride. Because America’s heartland never looked (and tasted) so perilously good.  

 

 

Smartass Corner:
 

1) When Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Volstead Act (that was Prohibition’s official name), he’s famously quoted as saying, "I think this would be a good time for a Beer." We’d have to disagree with good ol’ FDR — the occasion called for something much more stiff. Like, Whiskey.

 

2) There are a few Prohibition-era speakeasies that still exist in the U.S. today, including the New York City’s Landmark Tavern, 21 Club and Flûte. Bathtub Gin, not included. 

 

3) Journeyman makes their hooch in a former buggy whip factory that was owned by hardcore Prohibitionist E.K. Warren. Incidentally, he was also known as the "Father of the Featherbone Corset." Try that one on for size.

 

4) At the heart of DAMNATION is Seth Davenport, a man masquerading as a small town Iowa preacher in the hopes of starting a full-blown insurrection against the status quo. The actor behind the role is Killian Scott, a born-and-raised Irishman — quite a ways from rural America. 

 

5) New Holland Brewing’s got some lofty notions about their Beer Barrel Bourbon. They recommend a lil’ something called the Bourbon Daisy, which calls for two-ounces of Beer Barrel Bourbon, a half-ounce of simple syrup, a half-ounce of orgeat and one-ounce of lemon juice shaken up into a coupe. And speakeasies would’ve approved — they developed the concept of a cocktail to mask the taste of the illegal hooch being made. Although, New Holland’s Bourbon certainly doesn’t need that. 

 

6) The "booze cruise" was an invention born of the Prohibition era. Yep, ships would sail out to international waters where they could legally serve up alcohol. Shots, anyone?

 

7) WhistlePig’s Rye came from the stock made by our northern neighbors that was being used for blending. Ends up, it was some pretty terrific stuff. The WhistlePig crew snatched it up and decided to showcase the spirit as it was intended to be savored. Now it’s the most awarded Rye Whiskey in the world. Smooth move, guys.

 

8) If you wanted to find yourself a good time during Prohibition, all you had to do was look for a green door. For many speakeasies, it was the easiest way to let thirsty patrons know that there was booze inside without outright advertising it and risking legal trouble.