Whiskey Business

WHISKEY BUSINESS Aged to Perfection

With nearly 120 years of history, the Members of the Missouri Athletic Club know the importance of celebrating legacy. The Wittenberg family has one such legacy. Past MAC President Charlie Wittenberg grew up with stories about his grandfather and great-grandfather’s Blue Wing Rye Whiskey Distillery, which was located in North St. Louis. He passed those stories on to his son, Bill. "Rye whiskey was something that I didn't try until I was about 50. The first time I tried it, was after finding the shot glass for Blue Wing Rye Whiskey." Nearly 10 years ago, Bill sought to revive the historic family business, noting an "insurgence of small-batch spirits and rye whiskey." "To me, it seemed like between the family history, the small-batch movement, the resurgence of rye and the fortuitous finding of memorabilia, it seemed like a good idea," said Bill. However, Bill had a full-time position running the company his father started, C. J. Thomas. (In fact, Charlie and his colleagues manifested the idea of the insurance agency in secret meetings at the MAC.) Bill's work at C. J. Thomas limited the time he could invest in reviving Blue Wing Rye Whiskey. Thankfully, Charlie had a family contact at Square One Brewery and Distillery who was able to assist with the recreation of the whiskey. After seven years, the first batch and put in 15-gallon Missouri charred white oak barrels to age for two years. According to Bill, these small barrels speed up the aging process significantly. Today, Members can find Blue Wing Rye Whiskey in a few local stores such as the Wine and Cheese Place, the Beer Sauce Shop and Parker's Table, but can also see it behind the bar in the Jack Buck Grille, Sportsman's Club and 1903 bar at the Club. " It’s a great story to tell, especially at the bar, that my family created this whiskey and my son brought it back," said Charlie. For those who are not familiar with him, Charlie was MAC President from 1990-1991 and an MAC Hall of Famer for being the leading scorer, team captain and Member of the MAC’s traveling basketball teams during the ‘70s and ‘80s. He was part of the Board who welcomed Jackie Joyner-Kersee as the first woman Member of the Club and had the "privilege" of introducing Jack Buck at the Sports Personality Awards in 1990. While not currently a Member, Bill enjoyed attending these sports banquets as well as the holiday brunches in the Missouri Room. For more information about Blue Wing Rye Whiskey, visit bluewingryewhiskey.com or pick up a bottle and read the story on the back.

MAC EMPLOYEE

Holiday Fund

The holiday season is fast approaching, which prompts us to reflect on the outstanding year of events and accomplishments that we have enjoyed. None of these events would have been possible without the diligent work throughout the year of our wonderful staff. We see them every day, or if we don’t see them, we see the effects of their work in the locker rooms, the kitchen, the basement laundry room and engineering offices. Our hardworking staff is what keeps both Clubhouses running smoothly. Annually, the Employee Holiday Fund extends a holiday bonus to the MAC staff and supports the MAC’s charitable entities. The MAC’s employees are always incredibly thankful to the Club’s membership for this outpouring of appreciation, and a small portion of the funds are allocated to the foundations and the CSC and used to carry on the Club’s values of tradition, community and culture.

On your Oct. 31, 2021, statement (both paper and digital), please notice a voluntary contribution charge in the amount of $100 shown as “Empl Holiday/Foundations Cont.”

The funds will be allocated as shown unless you notify the accounting office otherwise. F $95 Employee Holiday Fund F $2.50 Preservation Foundation (tax deductible) F $2.50 MAC Charitable Society for

Children (tax deductible) Remember, these contributions are voluntary and can be left as is or be adjusted in any proportion, if desired, by contacting the Accounting Department or using the form available on the MAC website.

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

F Phone: 314-539-4432 F Email: billing@mac-stl.org

MAC WEBSITE

F Member Central > Member Documents > Holiday Fund Contribution Form

Thank you for supporting the Missouri Athletic Club, our wonderful employees and foundations.

Four state championships in 2020-2021: girls varsity tennis, girls cross country, boys varsity tennis and girls varsity soccer

INDEPENDENT • COEDUCATIONAL • GRADES 7-12

Open House

Saturday, October 23 Pre-register at jburroughs.org/openhouse. Presentation begins at 9:30 am.

314/993-4040 • jburroughs.org