Bourbon makes the Kentucky go ‘round. Love it or hate it, bourbon is a huge part of life in the Bluegrass State. From the land it takes to grow the grains to the processing, bottling and warehousing of the state spirit, bourbon is part of the fabric of Kentucky.
September is Bourbon Heritage Month and we thought we’d share a few of our favorite Bourbon drinks and a bit of history about bourbon.
If by some rare chance you are unaware, bourbon is a barrel-aged American-style whiskey made generally from corn. The root of the name is French, however.
Since the 1700s, bourbon has been distilled in the United States, primarily in Kentucky. A common misconception, is that bourbon can only be made in Kentucky. To be called bourbon, the only rule is that the drink be made from at least 51% corn and be stored in a new charred oak barrel.
Elijah Craig, a minister, is credited with the invention of the spirit and its distillation in Kentucky. A man named James C. Crow is credited with the sour mash process, an integral part of the fermentation process.
The history of the legality of bourbon has been up and down through prohibition and world wars. Currently, bourbon accounts for global sales of about $8 billion, and the United States has sold over 31 million 9-liter cases of American-made whiskey. By 2030, the global bourbon market is expected to reach $15 billion.
In short, bourbon isn’t going anywhere and, for Kentucky as one of the leading producers, it’s something we should be and are definitely proud of.
