Horsey Outerbridge, IV

If you think whiskey has no place in American aristocracy, you’ve clearly never heard of Outerbridge Horsey IV. Yes, that’s his real name—and yes, his story is as fascinating as it sounds. Born into one of the most blue-blooded families of 19th-century America, Outerbridge took a surprising path: he dedicated his life to making whiskey. Let’s dive into the tale of this Maryland distiller who blended a passion for rye with a lineage of high society.

A Legacy in Blood and Land

Outerbridge Horsey IV was born in 1819 at Needwood Mansion, a sprawling estate in Maryland’s Frederick County. His family tree read like a who’s who of American history. On his mother’s side, he descended from Charles Carroll, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. His grandfather, Thomas Sim Lee, had twice been Maryland’s governor. Meanwhile, his father, Outerbridge III, was a U.S. Senator and Delaware’s former Attorney General. To say Outerbridge had a privileged start would be an understatement.

Despite his aristocratic roots, Outerbridge was drawn to the earthy, hands-on craft of distilling. By the time he was 19, he was determined to make his mark in whiskey. Inheriting part of the family estate, he began distilling rye in the Maryland tradition: small-scale and local. But as we’ll see, he had bigger ambitions.

War, Whiskey, and Wanderlust

When the Civil War broke out, Outerbridge decided Europe sounded more appealing than battlefield duty. While Union and Confederate troops clashed back home, Needwood Mansion saw its share of destruction. His distillery was leveled, and whatever whiskey was left was promptly “requisitioned” by thirsty soldiers.

But Outerbridge wasn’t idly sipping wine in Europe. He spent his time touring distilleries across Scotland and the continent, soaking up knowledge about whiskey-making techniques. By the time he returned to Maryland after the war, he was ready to rebuild—and innovate

The Sea-Aged Whiskey Experiment

Outerbridge didn’t just rebuild his distillery; he reimagined it. He claimed his operation was the first pure rye distillery in the Eastern U.S., and his approach to aging whiskey was truly unique. Instead of letting barrels sit quietly in a warehouse, he shipped them by sea to San Francisco and back. His theory? The constant motion of the waves would mellow the whiskey in ways stationary aging couldn’t. Each barrel was stamped with a message about its oceanic journey, promising a “unique and most agreeable softness.”

Whether it was the sea air or Outerbridge’s marketing genius, his whiskey earned a reputation for quality. The rye was bottled with ornate labels, and bars stocking it received a distinctive metal horse figurine as a display piece.

A Gentleman Distiller

While whiskey was his passion, Outerbridge remained a man of society. He and his wife, Anna (also a Carroll descendant), spent winters in Washington, D.C., mingling with the elite. Outerbridge also served as Maryland’s Democratic National Committeeman and held positions on several corporate boards. But through it all, he stayed committed to producing high-quality whiskey rather than chasing higher volumes.

Outerbridge passed away in 1902 at the age of 83. True to form, his New York Times obituary highlighted his political connections first, mentioning his whiskey pursuits almost as an afterthought. His family didn’t share his distilling passion and sold the business soon after his death. Under new ownership, the whiskey’s quality slipped, and the name was changed to “Old Horsey.” Prohibition eventually put an end to the brand.

A Legacy Worth Raising a Glass To

Outerbridge Horsey IV may not be a household name among today’s whiskey lovers, but his contributions to the craft deserve a toast. He was a pioneer of rye whiskey in Maryland, an innovator in aging techniques, and a man who balanced the genteel life of an aristocrat with the gritty work of a distiller. So next time you pour a glass of rye, remember the man who quite literally went to great lengths—and distances—to make it better. Cheers to you, Outerbridge!

Contributed by: Michael Koratich and Carolyn Koratich, Frederick, Maryland

with support from Bill & Vicki Gallagher, Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey Section Editors, Marriottsville, Maryland