Alabama legislators consider naming a state whiskey

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama is in a fight over whether to name an official state whiskey, one that has its origins in Alabama's rich history of bootlegging.

The Legislature overwhelmingly passed a resolution declaring Conecuh Ridge Fine Alabama Whiskey as the "official state spirit," but Gov. Bob Riley vetoed the resolution Thursday.

"I'm so disappointed," said Kenny May, founder of Conecuh Ridge.

But the dispute is not over. The House of Representatives voted 54-7 Thursday to override the governor's veto. If the Senate does the same thing in the next few weeks, Conecuh Ridge will still become the "official state spirit."

May said he considers his whiskey "a source of pride for Alabama."

But the governor said Alabama "should not set a precedent of endorsing a commercially sold product."

The sponsor of the resolution, Democratic Rep. Alan Boothe said the Republican governor was picking a fight over a minor issue that would hurt him later.

"I'm dumbfounded he'd veto an insignificant resolution and draw the ill will of people who overrode his veto," Boothe said.

May's whiskey is a product of his family tree. His late father, Clyde May, made moonshine in the woods. Kenny May knows exactly how it was done.

"I used to help him make it," May said.

-- From wire reports