Bourbon is an American version of whiskey made from corn that has a long, rich history in the United States.
This caramel color spirit is unique in that the corn yields a sweeter taste compared to other types of whiskey such as Scotch whiskey that is traditionally made from barley or Irish whiskey that is made with yeast.
Bourbon’s stance in American history is so strong that in May 1996, the US Congress recognized bourbon whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States” by concurrent resolution.
Although bourbon whiskey may be produced anywhere in the US, the majority of the supply comes from Kentucky where, by a series of happy accidents, the drink first emerged.
Abundant Corn
In the early 1700’s a plan to entice settlers emerged after finding that distilling corn, the most abundant grain in Kentucky, produced a sweet spirit.
Limestone Shelf
Settlers happened to plant their roots near a geographic area known as the “limestone shelf.” Water running through this area has a high calcium content and low iron content, which happens to be perfect for distilling whiskey.
Whiskey Trade
Whiskey trade opens along the Natchez Trail from Lexington, KY to New Orleans, LA. Barrels are stamped with the county of origin before sending them downriver.
Charred White Oak
A clergyman by the name of Elijah Craig found that the best way to clean fish barrels before adding whiskey was to burn the inside of them leaving them charred. This charred oak was the secret sauce to smoothing out the whiskey by removing the tannins and acid while enhancing the vanilla flavors.
The longer the whiskey is in the barrel the better, so the 90 days of travel down the Natchez Trail was perfect. During this time, the bourbon also deepens in color from clear to a dark amber. White oak is the only wood that provides this special enhancement and happens to be found in abundance in Kentucky.
Thanks to this series of happy accidents, we have a whiskey unique to the United States. Today, over 90% of bourbon is still produced in Kentucky, and the state is rumored to have more barrels of aging bourbon than the population. Cheers!