Here’s an easy one: What are the two largest American whiskey-producing states today?

A quick Google search shows Kentucky and Tennessee in a landslide. But before the Civil War, neither state had the most registered stills. In 1840, it was Virginia, which boasted more than 1,400 stills to Kentucky’s 889.

Back then, every state enjoyed the “likker” produced by the farmer-distiller. Even New Jersey had more than 300 distilleries.

But the Civil War began their demise.

In 1956, a young German machinist named Horst Blaser set up a business to produce a hunting rifle. Although not a trained gun maker in the German tradition, Blaser had an idea for an entirely new design. As a skilled machinist, he envisioned a rifle made to exacting standards by automation, with interchangeable parts that would make it the most versatile hunting rifle in history.

I loaded the old pointer and was about to invite the adolescent sinner into the car. Rebel had behaved so badly on our last hunt that nothing he could do would alter Paul’s judgement, and my friend was quick to remind me of the pup’s turpitude.

Like mankind, domesticated canines make mistakes and develop habits that need redemption. Oh, the shame that a man, or a dog, can be defined by an indiscretion made on the worst day of his otherwise exemplary life.