THF310304

Bottle of Bootleg "Coon Hollow" Bourbon Whiskey, 1925-1932

Summary

This Canadian alcohol was likely smuggled across the Detroit River during Prohibition (1920-33), when the United States banned the production, sale, and importation of alcohol. This bourbon whiskey was headed for Charles Kert's Detroit speakeasy, also known as a blind pig. The geography of the Detroit River lent itself really well to smuggling alcohol in from Canada--smugglers used it frequently for this purpose.

Artifact

Bottle

Date Made

1925-1932

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

96.124.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Harry S. Kert

Material

Glass (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Amber (Color)

Dimensions

Width: 4.25 in

Depth: 2.0 in

Height: 8.5 in

Volume: 16 oz

Inscriptions

DISTILLERY NO.1 / PORT NO.JE / COON HOLLOW / ALCHOLIC STRENGTH 50% BY VOLUME / 100% PROOF US STANDARD / BOURBON WHISKEY / DISTILLED AND BOTTLED IN BOND / UNDER GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION / PIONEER DISTILLERS LIMITED / AMHERSTBURG, ONTARIO, CANADA / CONTENTS 16 FLUID OUNCES [printed on obverse of paper covering] THESE WHISKEYS ARE MANUFACTURED, AGED IN WHITE OAK BARRELS UNDER DOMINION GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION AND ARE GUARANTEED TO BE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. YOUR PROTECTION AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF THIS BRAND OF WHISKEY IS THE PATENTED SAFETY METAL TOP SEAL USED ONLY BY PIONEER- DISTILLERS LIMITED. EXAMINE THIS SEAL AND SEE IT IS NOT BROKEN. [printed on cap]