Bourbon

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name derives from the French Bourbon dynasty, although the precise inspiration for the whiskey's name is uncertain; contenders include Bourbon County, Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century. The use of the term "bourbon" for the whiskey has been traced to the 1820s, and the term began to be used consistently in Kentucky in the 1870s.

History

While the precise origins of the spirit are unclear, the name "bourbon" likely comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky. In the late 18th century, French territories in North America were named in honor of the French royal family, including Bourbon County in modern-day Kentucky. When distilled spirits were first taxed in the United States in 1791, many farmers and distillers in this region protested the tax, and the area became known as the Whiskey Rebellion.

Production process

Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The process of making bourbon is prescribed by law, which mandates that bourbon be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak containers, distilled to no more than 160 proof, and entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof. Bourbon must be bottled at no less than 80 proof and can have no added flavoring or coloring.

Types of bourbon

There are several types of bourbon whiskey, including Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which must be aged for a minimum of two years, and Single Barrel Bourbon, which is bottled from one barrel only.

See also

• American whiskey
• Corn whiskey
• Tennessee whiskey
• Rye whiskey

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