McCormick Distilling Company

Description

The McCormick Distilling Company is a vodka distilling and alcoholic beverage importing company in Weston, Missouri. Opened originally by Benjamin J. Holladay in 1856 under the name Holladay Distillery, its distillery has been registered in the National Register of Historic Places and has been operating continuously at the same location longer than any other distillery in the United States. In addition to making its own products (vodka is the only product distilled by McCormick), the company is also an importer of products made elsewhere. The company's products primarily serve the non-premium/"value" segment of the liquor market.HistoryThe area for the distillery was chosen for the natural limestone springs that ran underground. After opening the Holladay Distillery in 1856, Benjamin J. Holladay went on to develop the Pony Express route to San Francisco as well as build steamships and railroad lines in western America. In 1860, Holladay turned the distillery over to his brother, Major David Holladay, who then ran the Distillery until 1894 when it was sold to George Shawhan and became the Shawhan Distillery. During the period of Prohibition in the United States, the distillery remained open by producing whisky for medicinal purposes. The distillery was sold to Isadore Singer in 1936, and was renamed as the Old Weston Distillery. Singer then purchased the McCormick brand name from a neighbouring plant at Waldron, Missouri, and renamed the distillery as the McCormick Distillery.