Crow, James C. (1789–1856), was born in Inverness, Scotland. He graduated from Edinburgh University in 1822 with a degree in medicine and emigrated to the United States. Crow had an affinity for chemistry, and for scientific investigation in general, and by 1823 he had gravitated to Kentucky, where he quickly got a job in the growing distilling industry. Crow is often credited with “inventing” the sour mash process, but it is more likely that he refined and standardized the practice through the use of proper scientific instruments, experimentation, and recording results. The Old Crow brand of bourbon is named for him.
See also Old Crow and sour mash.
Cowdery, Charles K. Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey. Chicago: Made and Bottled in Kentucky, 2004.
By: Lew Bryson