Here is what legally makes it Bourbon:
- Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon
- Bourbon must be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
- Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% abv)
- Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period, however:
- Bourbon that meets the above requirements, has been aged for a minimum of two years, and has no added coloring, flavoring, or other spirits may (but is not required) to be called Straight bourbon
- Bourbon that is labeled as Blended (or as ‘a blend’) may contain added coloring, flavoring, and other spirits; however, at least 51% of such a product must be Straight Bourbon
And here are just some interesting tidbits to break out at dinner party or something:
- Bourbon can actually be produced anywhere in the U.S. where it's legal to distill alcohol, not just Kentucky
- While the majority of Bourbons are produced in Kentucky, they've also been produced in Indiana, Illinois, New York, Virgina, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri and Pennsylvania
- To be considered "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" it must only be produced in Kentucky (a bit obvious on that one)
- Bourbon has been in production since the 18th century- originally as a way to use surplus corn grown on farms to turn a profit
- There are several theories but no one person is legitimately credited with the invention of Bourbon
- What is now Kentucky was first settled by Scottish, Scotch-Irish, English and French settlers who probably brought their distillation techniques from Europe and just used grains that were readily available
- Though 51% of the mash bill must be corn, a typical Bourbon mixture is over 70% corn, with the remainder usually a mixture of wheat, rye, and/or barley
- The name Bourbon is derived from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky
- Bourbon County, KY was named for House of Bourbon royal family in France; of which the last official reigning monarch, Louis XVI, provided the colonists with financial and military assistance during the American Revolution
