The so-called `` whiskey tax '' was the first tax imposed Action on a domestic product by the newly formed Coming_to_be federal government .

The tax applied Using to all distilled spirits , but American whiskey was by far the country 's most popular distilled beverage in the 18th century , so the excise became Becoming widely known as a `` whiskey tax '' .

The tax applied Using to all distilled spirits , but American whiskey was by far the country 's most popular distilled beverage in the 18th century , so the excise became Becoming widely known as a `` whiskey tax '' .

Farmers of the western frontier were accustomed to distilling their surplus rye , barley , wheat , corn , or fermented Change grain mixtures to make Causation whiskey .

In these regions , whiskey often served Assistance as a medium of exchange .

The Whiskey Rebellion demonstrated Protest that the new national government had the will and ability to suppress Hindering violent resistance to its laws , though the whiskey excise remained Presence difficult to collect Come_together .

The whiskey tax was repealed Removing in the early 1800s during the Jefferson administration .