number of beverage and flavor companies all over the world.

David Michael & Co. stems from a partnership established in 1896 between Herman Hertz and David Michael. Herman operated a bar on Ohio Avenue in Atlantic City, while David was a salesman for Fleer Chewing Gum of Philadelphia (a firm renowned today for their bubblegum baseball cards). David was a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a confirmed bachelor. His principal pastimes were fishing and motor cars. In fact, before there were income taxes, David carried large amounts of cash and enjoyed purchasing motor cars off the showroom floor.

Herman Hertz’ expertise was in distilled spirits ingredients. He originated our “Oldtime Special Body & Age”®, a few drops of which will make raw corn whiskey taste like a ten year-old bourbon in just a few hours. (Today, David Michael sells many DSP ingredients based upon this time honored formula, which is mentioned in “The Social History of Bourbon”). B&A’s popularity grew in these early years, but slowed in the 1920’s and did not revive until Prohibition was repealed in 1933. But then, B&A was adopted by several nationally branded products in which it is still used today.