Tom's Town News & Blog

KC-based Tom's Town Launches Rye Whiskey
In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford

KC-based Tom's Town Launches Rye Whiskey

Kansas City, MO — May 10, 2024 - Tom's Town Distilling Co. today announces a limited release of its acclaimed Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey in liquor stores and restaurants across Missouri and Kansas. This release is a special allocation of our meticulously crafted whiskey, previously enjoyed exclusively at the first legal distillery in downtown Kansas City since Prohibition – Tom’s Town.

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Top gin distilleries in the US and Canada
In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford

Top gin distilleries in the US and Canada

In anticipation of World Gin Day (June 11), we’re celebrating with this list of the top gin distilleries in the US and Canada. Whether you’re looking to enjoy an exquisitely rendered negroni or sip your way through a tasting flight of delectable gins, we’ve searched out the top distilleries in each US state and across Canada. Featuring gins ranging in flavor from the juniper forward and herbaceous, to the light and lovely floral, follow this handy collection for your summer sipping pleasure.

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Drink This Now: The French Blonde at Tom’s Town Distilling Co.

Drink This Now: The French Blonde at Tom’s Town Distilling Co.

Maybe it’s the high price, or maybe it’s the overuse of random and expensive ingredients added to appeal to said high price. Nevertheless, I often find myself disappointed after ordering a $15 drink.

While Tom’s Town Distilling Co. offers a dozen or so seasonal cocktails at double-digit dollars, the French Blonde is one I’d order again and again.

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Toms Town Distilling Co. Rebranding
In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford In The News, News Blog Tony Pulford

Toms Town Distilling Co. Rebranding

Tom’s Town Distilling Co. has unveiled new custom art deco bottles and simplified brand names.

The new bottle harkens back to Prohibition-era Kansas City, the company says, when the town was controlled by political boss Tom Pendergast and was known as “Tom’s Town.” The bottle references art deco buildings like the Kansas City Power and Light building, and the Chrysler building in New York City.

ustom elements blown in the glass include the Tom’s Town monogram and its tagline, “The People Are Thirsty.” Tom’s Town collaborated on the art deco bottle and labels with Salt Lake City designer and typographer, Kevin Cantrell.

The updated labels feature simplified names for existing products that will create a “branded house” of Tom’s Town spirits:

  • Tom’s Town Botanical Gin is the new name for McElroy’s Corruption Gin

  • Tom’s Town Double Grain Vodka is the new name for Eli’s StrongArm Vodka

  • Tom’s Town Barreled Gin is the new name for The Machine No. 1: Barreled Gin

  • Tom’s Town Pendergast’s Royal Gold Bourbon remains the same

“We have a lot of equity in the name Tom’s Town and it’s memorable,” says David Epstein, co-founder, Tom’s Town Distilling Co. “We wanted to capitalize on that, and simplify the names of our spirits so that customers know exactly how to ask for them. At the same time, we wanted to create an art deco package that’s unique to the market, and we think we’ve got a home run with this gorgeous new bottle.”

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Hobo Holiday, Pendergast Turkeys Fatten, Goat Voters in Wake of Election
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Hobo Holiday, Pendergast Turkeys Fatten, Goat Voters in Wake of Election

Every Holiday season Boss Tom’s Machine remembered the humblest of voters, those who consistently returned the Machine to power by casting ballots for Goat candidates. Then casting them again at another polling station. Then casting them again across town. Then, when necessary, riding Machine-chartered busses to the most remote precincts in Jackson County to elect Goats to county office.

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Judge Mac Delivers the Goods! Country Bookkeeping Delivers Boodle for KC Machine!
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Judge Mac Delivers the Goods! Country Bookkeeping Delivers Boodle for KC Machine!

“Judge” Henry F. McElroy learned his politics and his public accounting as a young boy in rural Iowa. When Tom Pendergast engineered his appointment as City Manager McElroy was over sixty years old, but stood tall, slim, and muscular, with the wiry frame and evangelical scowl of a country preacher. He rose to prominence in The Machine as an administrative judge for Jackson County – the same office where Harry Truman got his start.

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