Most Ancient of Applejack
Mills Now Closed Down
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On April 23, 1919 an article originally from
the Newark Sunday Call appeared in the Warwick Valley Dispatch
and stated that the Sayer Distillery had closed one year
previous. The still was brought from Europe and operated
in Newburgh for many years and around 1812 was bought by
the Sayers and moved to Warwick. It was supposed to have
been the oldest in the United States.
Obviously there was an abundant source of apples available
even back then because it said the Sayer still produced
20,000 gallons a year and it was only one of 24 stills operating
in Warwick!!
"Orange County was said to have paid $125,000. per
year in tax on apple brandy, more than twice as much as
any other county in the Union paid on spirits distilled
from fruit.
I guess the AppleFest
is not a new celebration in Warwick. The festivities must
have been pretty good to continue for that long a time.