The Story of Border Whiskey and the Republic of Indian Stream
One of the most famous lines in movie history is “If you build it, they will come”, from Field of Dreams. That’s pretty much been my experience in the world of whisky, ever since I built my little whisky room in my basement. “They” come with gifts of whisky, from all over the world. “They” come with a thirst for knowledge and an appreciation for what they learn in my little corner of the whisky world. And, my favorite part, “they” come with whisky stories.
Like my friend, Harleydog, who first told me the story of the Republic of Indian Stream and the Border Whiskey Company.
According to the 1783 Treaty Of Paris, the 280 square mile (780 sq km) Indian Stream area of what is now northern New Hampshire, was included as both part of the United States, and British North America. How can that be, you ask? Because the Treaty was ambiguous in its description of which borders and lakes defined the northern United Sates border. So, both countries claimed it as their own, And in proper government fashion, both started to tax its occupants, who had become known as “Streamers”. The Streamers were not impressed. To the point where, in 1832, they declared independence from both the Americans and the British. All 414 of them. They wrote a Constitution for the Republic of Indian Stream and they elected a government.
All was well for a period, until, in 1835, John Tyler, a Streamer, got arrested by the British for an unpaid hardware store debt. The other Streamers took a dim view of this and proceeded to invade Canada to retrieve their Indian Stream citizen, kidnapping a British judge in the process, and causing in international incident. After extensive negotiating, Indian Stream was lawfully made a part of New Hampshire, which was ratified by Treaty on 1842. End of the story? Not quite.
So, flash forward 185 years or so. To the town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, which is the modern name of the former Republic of Indian Stream. It’s the most northern town in New Hampshire, and the largest in area, despite its modest population of about 800. It’s where Ron Vars and Dan Gray have set up the Border Whiskey Company, makers of The Lost Republic of Indian Stream Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It might also be the longest whiskey name that I’ve come across. Anyway, these proud Streamers have been producing whiskey since 2021. In 2023, they won a gold medal for small batch whiskey at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco. Pretty impressive stuff.
The town of Pittsburg is situated at 45.9 degrees latitude, making it the only town in New Hampshire north of the 45th. It borders on Canada (of course – that was the original dilemma), Maine and Vermont. So, it makes sense that Indian Stream is bottled at cask strength – precisely 45.9%. And it’s a straight bourbon, aged for three years. And a high rye mash bill, for that great, spicy kick.
There isn’t much information online about either the whiskey or the distillery. Or the owners. I expect that they are keeping things simple and letting the whiskey do the talking. I had the pleasure, complements of my friend, Harleydog, to have a taste. Pretty darn good. I’m heading to New England in a few months and will be searching out a bottle of two for my collection. I recommend that you do the same. Cheers! And long live the Republic!
Whisky Love 