History of Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon has been distilled in the U.S. since the 18th century.

Whiskey developed in the British Isles during the Middle Ages. It was brought to North America by immigrants from Scotland, Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom where it developed into uniquely American varieties, including rye, blended and bourbon.

Features

Bourbon is an American whiskey made primarily from corn. After distillation, it is aged in oak barrels where it picks up a brown color and woody flavor. Though it is made in several parts of the country, it is most closely associated with Kentucky, particularly Bourbon County, where the whiskey got its name.

Origins

Bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century. According to Charles Cowdery, distilling was brought to the region by Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German and French settlers after the American Revolution. One of the earliest counties established by these settlers was Bourbon County. Though the county was later broken up, the local habit of referring to the region as "Old Bourbon" persisted. When the locally produced whiskey was ready, the barrels were marked "Old Bourbon" to indicate the port of origin before being shipped on the Ohio River. This was the first whiskey made from corn encountered by many consumers and, in time, "bourbon" became the name for corn-based whiskey, regardless of its origin.

Refinement

In the mid-19th century, the creation of bourbon was refined by the introduction of the sour mash process. It is credited variously to Dr. James Crow and Dr. James Amburgey who worked at the same distillery at the time process was discovered. The acid introduced by this process helps create a proper pH balance and helps control the growth of bacteria that could taint the flavor of the whiskey.

Modern Law

In 1964, bourbon was recognized by Congress as a distinctive U.S. product and strict criteria for its manufacturing were established. In 2007, the Senate passed Resolution 110-294 establishing September 2007 as "National Bourbon Heritage Month."

References

• "Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey"; Charles K. Cowdery; 2004
• "The Columbia Encylopedia"; Whiskey; 2008
• "A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition"; Bourbon; David A. Bender; 2005
• Senate Resolution 294