Michigan Was Once America's Top Rye Producer

Most people don't associate Michigan with whiskey history, but before Prohibition, this state led the country in rye production.

A surprising claim, well documented

Before Prohibition took effect in 1920, Michigan grew more rye than any other state in the country. That rye supplied distilleries well beyond Michigan's borders, including operations in Kentucky, at a time when Kentucky was already establishing itself as America's whiskey center.

The rye variety behind it

Much of that production centered on Rosen rye, a variety named after Joseph Rosen that started growing commercially on South Manitou Island in 1912. It developed a strong reputation for flavor and quality, useful for both baking and distilling.

Why it faded

Prohibition disrupted the entire American whiskey industry, and when it ended in 1933, many distillers rebuilt around corn instead of rye, since bourbon was cheaper to produce at scale. Michigan's rye production shifted mostly toward use as a cover crop rather than a whiskey grain, and the state's earlier reputation faded from common knowledge.

Worth remembering

Next time you pour a glass of rye, it's worth knowing that Michigan has a real, documented claim to a piece of that whiskey's history, whether or not the specific grain in your bottle traces back here directly.

Ask us about our current rye selection next time you're in. It's a good excuse to raise a glass to a part of Michigan's history most people never learn about.