Applejack
Applejack is often dubbed as one of the oldest American spirits. Essentially, it is an apple brandy that supposedly originated during colonial times. It is believed that the original version was made as a cider that was fermented and left to freeze.
The liquid that was not frozen would then be consumed. However, this technique, known as freeze distillation or jacking is not practiced anymore. The turning point for applejack production happened in 1698 when a Scotsman William Laird moved to New Jersey.
He was familiar with distillation and started distilling apple brandy. In 1780, his great-grandson Robert Laird founded Laird & Company that would become the first licensed distillery in the United States, and to this day, the leading name when it comes to apple-based spirits. Read more
Until the 1960s, applejack was mostly synonymous with apple brandy, but when lighter spirits became more popular, applejack got a new interpretation known as blended applejack. This somewhat lighter version was made with a blend of apple brandy and neutral spirits, and the style soon became synonymous with the name.
Several producers, including Laird, are trying to restore its original form of apple brandy.
