bourbon facts

The members of the FTNYC staff and I are big bourbon whiskey fans. I’ve been on something of a crusade the past six months to sample as many bourbons as possible, and this has taken me from popular consumer brands like Makers and Woodford Reserve to some more difficult to find bourbons like Elijah Craig 21 year – a fantastic bourbon, I might add.

But as I’ve read more about bourbon, I’ve also found that the drink itself has a rich history that like cigars is full of quirks and eccentricities. Here are a few I’ve found:

1. Bourbon originated in Bourbon County, KY – but bourbon is no longer produced there

This fact surprised me for two reasons: I had no idea bourbon’s name was pulled from its home county. But secondly, given that Bourbon County is still home to some of the purest water in the nation, along with a great climate and geography for bourbon, bourbon is no longer produced there.

2. Bourbon is American

No really – in 1964, when many more interesting things were happening in American history, an Act of Congress signed by then president Lyndon B. Johnson designated bourbon “The Official Spirit of America.”

3. Bourbon is always naturally colored

Like other spirits, bourbon is made from the purest of water. What is different, however, is that bourbon can’t be bourbon if colors are added, as they are in some rums or scotches. That means that inviting golden glow really is representative of the drink – just don’t let the deeper amber color of some bourbons fool you into thinking they are necessarily the best!

4. As bourbon ages, a portion evaporates – this portion was dubbed the “Angel’s share” by master blender Booker Noe.

This term has sparked its own multitude of marketing plays and knockoffs. “Angel’s Envy” is one bourbon who played on this fact. There’s even an ale called “Angel’s Share” that is aged in old bourbon barrels.