What is bourbon?

    
What is bourbon? Well for one its tasty, but I am sure you know that. It’s actually a great question that I hope to answer without getting super technical and uppity that I lose the intention of this blog! Let’s begin...

            Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey, a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. For a whiskey to be considered bourbon, the grain mash must be at least 51% corn. By law the mixture must be stored in charred oak containers and cannot contain any additives.

The name “bourbon” and where it derives from isn’t exactly black and white. Many believe it comes from the French Bourbon dynasty, although other beliefs for the whiskey's name are Bourbon County in Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

 The use of the term "bourbon" for whiskey has been traced to the 1820’s, and the term began to be used consistently in Kentucky in the 1870’s. Some say that bourbon was first produced by the Baptist minister and distiller Elijah Craig. While bourbon may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the American South, particularly Kentucky.

Bourbon is served in a variety of manners, including neat, diluted with water, over ice ("on the rocks"), in simple mixed drinks, and into cocktails. Some of my favorites include the Manhattan and the Old Fashion. Bourbon is also used in cooking and baking.

Despite what some say, there is no “right” way to drink bourbon! It’s up to you and how you like it. I would suggest that you try it neat first, then maybe add a few drops of water and then over some ice. Adding water can dilute the bourbon a bit especially if its higher in alcohol, but it can also, as the pros say, “let the bourbon open up”. Yeah and it makes it easier to drink.  Grab a glass and a bourbon and see how you most enjoy it.

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