Spring 2025 OLLI Digital Catalog

Bottoms Up! The History Of Whiskey In America (G403)

G – History

This course examines the history of whiskey in America, especially during the emergence of America’s frontier, the Wild West. This interactive course details the social issues, customs and cultural norms that evolved from our early American history to our present time. The course explains whiskey’s progression from its origins in our Colonial days through the Civil War and into the Prohibition and its repeal. The business of whiskey distillation and the controversies associated with it are discussed.

This offering meets for a total of 5 session(s).

INSTRUCTOR: James Demartino

DEMARTINO, JAMES–B.A., political science, The Citadel. Commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps through the PLC Law Program. J.D., Fordham University School of Law. Completed military service as a major, U.S.M.C. with operational specialties in intelligence and civil affairs. Currently in private practice in Maryland. Extensive travel throughout the U.S. has led to an avid interest in the American West and history. (

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