Tom's Town News & Blog
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.
Tom's Town Distilling Co. carries on Kansas City's legacy of making craft spirits
In the 1920s, at the height of Prohibition, Kansas City was called “Tom’s Town.”
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.
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.
In Your Cocktail: Tom’s Town Distilling Co.
Tom’s Town Distilling Co. pays tribute to cocktails of the prohibition era in its Crossroads tasting room. But venture down a level into the building’s basement, and you’ll be transported to a different, more lavish take on the period at KC Concrete Co.
TOM’S TOWN LAUNCHES CANNED COCKTAILS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR Contact: Laurie Morrissey laurie@lmconnectkc.com TOM’S TOWN LAUNCHES CANNED COCKTAILS New Line of Four Different Craft Cocktails Now Sold Across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma
TOM’S TOWN NAMED OFFICIAL GIN OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
TOM’S TOWN NAMED OFFICIAL GIN OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS New Chiefs-themed products include limited-edition Chiefs bottle and a series of Canned Cocktails KANSAS CITY, Mo.
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.”
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.
SLASHES AT THE BOSS! RAY'S SAVAGE POLITICAL CARTOONS CUT THE MACHINE TO THE BONE.
S. J. “Silvey” Ray was no fan of Boss Tom, and he used his gig as editorial cartoonist at The Kansas City Star to cut the Machine any time he got the chance.
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.
MISSOURI WALTZ! RICHMOND RUBE CALLS TUNE ON BOSS TOM!
The trouble for Boss Tom began long before the bean counters obsessed over his tax forms.
THE MACHINE SHOWS HEART! WE FEED 'EM....AND WE VOTE EM!
Boss Tom was determined that the Machine would continue the tradition of philanthropy established by Big Jim Pendergast when he was alderman of the West Bottoms, and the distribution of five-spots to hobo voters on election day wasn’t the Machine’s only charitable endeavor.
MINDS THE BOSS' BUSINESS! ELI'S STRONG ARM KEEPS THE PEACE AT MACHINE HQ!
If you wanted to see The Boss, you had to go through old “Cap” Matheus. Elijah Matheus was a man of mystery, and his opaque biography made his authority imposing. Nobody knew much at all about the stern factotum who ran The Boss’ office. It was common knowledge that he was a former riverboat captain – thus the nickname.
EPSTEIN'S ANCESTOR A BOOTLEGGER! TOM'S TOWN PARTNER STAGGERS IN FOOTSTEPS OF ARTFUL ANTECEDENT!
Someone pulled the rug out from under Herman Epstein. One day he was an honest businessman pursuing a legitimate trade. The next day he was a bootlegger. The grandfather of Tom’s Town Distilling Co.'s illustrious co-founder, David Epstein, would have to wear the title, or find some other business.
QUEEN OF THE INFERNO! DEVILISH CABARET KEEPS LORELEI LYNN ATOP BOSS TOM'S SIN SCENE!
Of all the sin palaces in Tom Pendergast’s town, Dante’s Inferno (Lorelai Lynn’s east side cabaret) took the prize for delivering the most surreal Saturday night a thirsty populace could demand.