
- Aging Whiskey – Photo Courtesy of Rick Audet
This is the official title declared by Congress in 1964. Kentucky Bourbon is the best in the world according to Kentucky Tourism.
No other whiskey can call itself Bourbon unless it is manufactured in the US strictly to the Bourbon formula. Bourbon is not Bourbon unless it says so on the label.
Interesting Facts about Bourbon
Kentucky Barrels explains the many factors that go into making the best in the world. Kentuckians use spring water filtered by the minerals and purified by limestone rock formations. Secret recipes and processes have been handed down through the generations in Kentucky. It takes a proud strong and rich tradition to make something that tastes so good. You can even visit six elite distilleries throughout the Bluegrass.
Processing of Making Bourbon
The barrels are charred inside evenly for a consistent flavor. This helps give the vanilla and caramel characteristics. The barrels are filled to capacity and aged. The whiskey is said to breathe in the barrel. The aging process consists of two years; however, most of it is often aged between four and eight years. Some even age up to twenty-four years. Kentucky Bourbon History reveals that three percent of the liquid evaporates for each year of aging; this is known as the “Angels share”.
The variation in temperature and climate attribute to the bourbon’s creation process. The climates constant change from hot to cold causes the whiskey to mature more rapidly. The weather and pure water are major factors in the art and science of Bourbon making.
The Business of and the Festival
Kentucky Barrels shows Bourbon doubling production in just five years (from 1999 to 2007), Kentucky now produces over 95 percent. At the end of 2007, Kentucky had nearly 4.5 million barrels in the aging process.
According to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, in 2010 more than “55,000 attended the festival all hailing from about thirteen countries and forty states” converging around Bardstown to celebrate Kentucky spirits. Bardstown has been the home of Bourbon making since 1776 and is considered the Bourbon Capital of the World. The festival is six full days of fun for the whole family typically in September.
It’s all in the Name
The Story Behind the Spirit of how Bourbon got its name comes from an original county of Virginia that in 1785 became Kentucky- Bourbon County. Farmers would create their whiskey, shipping it in white oak barrels down the rivers to New Orleans. Since the trip took so long to make, the whiskey had time to age creating its amber color and smooth flavor. It would grow in such popularity that it simply became known as, Bourbon Whiskey.
President U.S. Grant was notorious for consuming Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, particularly Old Crow.
Good to the Last Drop
Kentucky Barrels describes how the white oak barrels are only used once then most are sent overseas to distilleries there. If you like Scotch or Irish whiskey you can thank Kentuckians for that. You can even have a barrel delivered to your home.
Please drink responsibly but go where the “spirits” take you.
