Belle of the Ball: The Rebirth of Dayton Distillation

In 2010, Don’s Pawn Shop at 107 E. Third St. was having some excavation done to their basement. Much to their surprise, the workers discovered a pile of broken bottles along with four intact empty bottles. One of the bottles is labeled “Belle of Dayton,” and another is labeled “Sour Mash.” Local historians were perplexed about the whiskey brand and had more questions than answers. Did a Dayton distillery mass produce these whiskey bottles, and if so, where was it located? After some local history research, it's deduced that a liquor store merchant Solomon Rauh and Sons sold whiskey from the same location. The Solomon Rauh and Sons building was destroyed during the 1913 flood and eventually went out of business during the prohibition. As for the distillery which produced the mysterious bottle of whiskey, the question is still unanswered.

Fast forward to 2014. Three Dayton natives saw these mysterious liquor bottles as a perfect way to start their distillery business. Brothers Murphy, Mike, and Tim LaSelle were enamored by the history of Dayton and wanted to incorporate it into their new business plan. With the help of the 2010 excavation, the Belle of Dayton Distillery was born. Located in the Oregon District, this relatively new business is offering its customers an opportunity to step back in time.

When I stepped into the distillery, I was surrounded by historical pictures of Dayton. The tasting room provides visitors with the historical context and feel of what it was like to be a distiller during the early 1900s.

Upon my first visit, Mike LaSelle spoke of the rich history he and his brothers wanted to evoke in their tasting room. LaSelle stated that Belle of Dayton pays homage to the once vibrant distilling industry in the Miami Valley, and hopes their new business will bring back a passion for artisan
spirits.

Erix Infante

Sources: http://www.belleofdayton.com/our-story

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