Laird'S Apple Jack Brandy 80 1 LApplejack was a well known "cyder spirit" throughout growing America. In the 1820s, American evangelist John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed", preached to congregations along the Ohio River Valley, and distributed apple seeds to his followers. He also instructed them in the production of Applejack hence the continued popularity of Applejack in this region.