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Panther Piss – Moonshine Label

Mar 13th, 2010
by Frank.

© Brass Dragon

Posted in: Vintage Labels, Wines & Liquor.

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19 Comments

  1. Jake says:
    May 21, 2010 at 2:35 am

    That’s DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Jane Downs says:
      May 15, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      Then you’ve never been to Michigan and drank some of it. Of course, if you had, you wouldn’t have remembered it anyway.

    2. Jane Downs says:
      May 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      Furthermore, this is a not the original label. The original read as follows: Good Old Black Panther Piss, manufactured by Ed Downs, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He started his “business” during Prohibition, hence the aged look of the above label. Ed Downs’ logo was of a black panther urinating on a tree in the moonlight. Ed Downs is my grandfather.

      Regards,
      Jane Downs

      1. kim says:
        June 29, 2012 at 2:34 pm

        Jane, do you have any original bottles of this stuff around? thought it a neat item to display in our bar.
        regards, Kim

        1. Jane Downs says:
          February 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm

          Sadly KIm, no we don’t have any of the original labels. Sure would be a conversation starter, though!

  2. fadingad says:
    May 21, 2010 at 2:39 am

    LOL!

    1. Jane Downs says:
      May 15, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      Glad you like it, however, this is a not the original label. The original read as follows: Good Old Black Panther Piss, manufactured by Ed Downs, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He started his “business” during Prohibition, hence the aged look of the above label. Ed Downs’ logo was of a black panther urinating on a tree in the moonlight. Ed Downs is my grandfather.

      Regards,
      Jane Downs

      1. Karen Jones says:
        February 9, 2013 at 4:11 am

        I have two bottles with the original lable… described exactly as you say here except it doesn’t say “black panther piss” Just “Pure Old Panther Piss” with the black pather pissing in to a jug in the moonlight. They were given to me by mt grandfather who passed away two years ago and both bottles are in a black leather case with two crystal shot glasses and a long spoon and some type of bottle opener. One has a blue cover and one has a white. Same person possbily?

        1. Jane Downs says:
          February 9, 2013 at 12:24 pm

          Karen! What a great thing to wake up to! (Not heavy drinking, your email). I would love to see a photo, and then I would love to purchase them if they are for sale (please God). My father, who is now 80 and not in good physical health although still sharp as a tack mentally, would go into raptures of joy. He described to me how Ed Downs would make the kids (Dad and siblings) go collect wildflowers and berries to be taken to the “cider press”. Your description of the urinating panther in the moonlight authenticates it. I cannot express how much this means to me, and I thank you for taking the time to follow up on it. Regards, Jane

          1. jim says:
            December 31, 2014 at 12:13 pm

            I have a original bottle Unopened of pure old panther piss how much are you going to offer for a unopened bottle

          2. Jane Downs says:
            December 31, 2014 at 11:25 pm

            Jim! How awesome that you have an original bottle of that. I have no clue what it is worth, but I will check with my father and get back with you. Thanks again. – Jane Downs

  3. Robert Rankin says:
    August 13, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    Any chance getting an original label or a reproduction of the original black panther piss label ?

    1. fadingad says:
      August 14, 2012 at 12:09 am

      Let me know if you find one.

      1. Jane Downs says:
        August 14, 2012 at 4:01 pm

        Will do. My only hope is my cousin Jill in Michigan, who is, to say the least, not all there. My sister is closer to her; I will ask her to inquire.

  4. Jane Downs says:
    August 14, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    Hey Robert! Thank you for your interest in my Granddad’s coveted product label. Sadly, no, not even Dad has an original label as you described. And my Aunt Ruthie, who would have been the one to keep up with stuff like that, passed away several years ago. I will, however, keep your email/post, and if I find anything will definitely let you know.
    Regards,
    Jane Downs

    1. Harry says:
      July 21, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      Jane, I am investigating Panther Piss and it’s origins and influence during prohibition and would love to get the chance to write for my uni about it but there isn’t much info online to go with. If you could email me so we could talk about it, help me learn a bit more about it from a direct relative that would be really exciting and great! My email is h.newrob@live.co.uk. So if you ever get the chance to read this comment It’d be great to hear from you.

      Regards, Harry

  5. Jamie Steward says:
    September 27, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    Hi Jane, spoke to my Grandfather today for the first time in a while as i took over some old early 1930/40’s war pictures his Suffolk regiment had taken, and he told me a story about some of his american friends that were being shipped out again the next day bringing a bottle of panther-piss to him outside of his old local pub, there was more to the story and its very interesting, but my point is, i was wondering is there still any un-opened bottles even with said label on them, or if there is any opened bottles anywhere with the original logo kicking about and if so how much are they? im dying to get hold of one to take round and sit with him so i can hear more of his amazing war time tales, he cant remember as much lately according to my mum who see’s him often, but those times seem to hep him remember,
    Thankyou,
    Jamie

    1. jim says:
      December 31, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      Hi there I have a original bottle Unopened of pure old panther piss how much are u offering for a unopened bottle

      1. jamie says:
        January 23, 2015 at 7:18 am

        Hi all i was wondering if i can’t get a hold of a bottle weather anyone could show me the original black panther piss label? since i last commented my grandfathers health has deteriorated more so after we lost my grandmother so i would at the very least like to show him the label and see if he can remember,is there any way we could perhaps see a picture? Jane i know you said your dad and family haven’t any original bottles with labels, but didn’t know if there were any books or any other records perhaps with the logo in? Any help would be massively appreciated thanks all. and Jim if you don’t sell that bottle to Jane give me a rough price you would like for it and we can talk.