Did you know December 5 is also a landmark day for whiskey?

Tuesday, 02 December 2025 at 15:01

Two Women at Ballot Box - Picryl Description

December 5th is no ordinary day in the United States. It marks a special occasion for whiskeylovers. This is the day that marked the end of Prohibition, a really important moment for bourbon and American Whiskey.

FAQ

When is Repeal Day?
It’s every year on December 5th.
What exactly is Repeal Day?
The day in 1933 when the 21st Amendment was ratified, officially ending Prohibition.
What is Prohibition?
The period from 1920 to 1933 when the 18th Amendment imposed a nationwide ban on alcohol in the United States.

In 1920, Prohibition went into effect in the United States when the 18th Amendment was adopted. Alcohol suddenly became illegal and, for years, was only consumed in secret or prescribed as medicine.

For 13 years, whiskey was distilled illegally, the “water of life” was sipped on the sly in hidden speakeasies, and smuggling thrived. The result was a surge in corruption and crime across the U.S.

December 5th: a special whisk(e)y day

On December 5th, 1933, Prohibition officially ended, putting a stop to years of clandestine sipping. That’s when the 21st Amendment was formally ratified, nullifying the 18th Amendment.

The production and consumption of alcohol were legal again. For whiskey enthusiasts, that meant not only renewed access to their favorite drams, but also the return of a future for the industry.

Distilleries could reopen and fire up their stills. This sparked a powerful revival that ultimately led to the thriving American whiskey industry we know today.

A celebration without Sinterklaas

Every December 5th, Americans celebrate this special day. Repeal Day has grown into a beloved holiday in the whiskey world, celebrated year after year.

The only question is how you’ll mark this special whiskey day. Will you pour yourself a fine bourbon, or opt for another style of whisk(e)y?