Yellowstone Whiskey Serving Tray, Taylor & Williams Distillery, Louisville, KY. Circa 1933

The Yellowstone brand of whiskey always intrigued me. Why would you name a whiskey made in Kentucky after a park almost 2000 miles away? This tray is certainly bright and eye appealing with the bright green and yellow background, and of course the larger than life bottle front and center in the design. The Taylor and Williams Distillery has sold the brand for awhile, but no longer owns it after selling in the early 1990’s. The rectangular style design was common just after prohibition ended, replacing the historically round serving trays used in bar and saloons throughout the U.S.


Started in 1881, the Yellowstone brand was a big seller before prohibition, but also ended up as the leading whiskey selling brand in the Kentucky area as late as the 1950’s. Today the brand is still sold, however, sales of the iconic brand have fallen off dramatically while today’s spirits drinkers drink more craft style whiskies similar to what has occurred in the beer drinkers market.