National Bourbon Day

National Bourbon Day is considered as the recognition of the Official Spirit of America.

What happens if you mix something together such as corn, limestone, white oak, fire and time? You'll get one of the most beloved spirits in American history: bourbon. Since June 14th is National Bourbon Day, there's a bit of history. In the mid-1700s, Scots-Irish settlers in what is now Virginia and Kentucky began distilling corn - the only grain native to the area, but the food that makes whiskey great for its sweet taste. Another geographical factor that also favored the introduction of bourbon was the Limestone Shelf region, where all major American whiskeys are still produced to this day, which infiltrated the local water while filtering out iron. Turns out that high calcium, low iron water is great when it comes to makin' moonshine. We have a chaplain and distiller named Elijah Craig to thank for the third major piece of the bourbon puzzle. In the late 1780s, Craig was using old fish tanks to store his wine. He then stamped the crates with their grain of origin (in his case Bourbon County) and sent them on a 90-day trip down to New Orleans. Burnt oak and a three-month aging combine to soften the whiskey and give it a smooth, smokeless oak flavor. When the new Orleanais asked for more "that whiskey from Bourbon", the name and the type of wine was born.

History of National Bourbon Day

Legend has it that Bourbon National Day is celebrated as the anniversary of the first time this famous drink was distilled in the late 1700s. It may just be a legend but, whatever the truth of this. Whatever it is, National Bourbon Day is certainly a day worth celebrating.

Bourbon is a specific category of American whiskey, made from a mash of mostly corn - at least 51% must be corn to be classified as bourbon. Other grains in the mash often include barley, rye, or wheat.

This mash is distilled, and then aged for at least two years in new oak casks, to become “straight bourbon whiskey”. Many gourds are over 2 years old. In fact, a labeling rule states that any bourbon aged less than 4 years must have as much of it on the label.

This is a very strong wine. The process of grinding corn to make bourbon starts at 80% alcohol, and through aging as well as filtration and bottling, the final product can be no less than 40% alcohol by volume.

Bourbon certainly originated in the US state of Kentucky, around the 1700s, before it had an official name. The name appears to be a sign of the Bourbon Dynasty of France, and may have been in honor of Bourbon County, an area of ​​Kentucky known for corn farming.

While some people think that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky (like cognac has to be made in a certain region of France), that's not really true. It simply needs to be distilled and aged in the state to earn its distinctive name, “Kentucky Bourbon”.

Even so, most of this drink is still made in Kentucky, and people from that area will claim that it's definitely where the best bourbon is made. Some Kentuckians even claim that the limestone in spring water from the area gives this bourbon a distinct flavor from the rest.

In 1964, the United States Congress recognized bourbon as a "special product of the United States". In fact, many trade agreements require that, to be called bourbon, the whiskey must be produced in the United States.

As bourbon whiskey began to gain popularity, tourism around the beverage began to increase in Kentucky. At one point, to meet demand, some companies planned to reduce the alcohol content of their products, but the backlash from customers forced them to reverse their decision. Some companies have limited their supply abroad to meet demand in the US. That means Kentucky is probably still the best place to enjoy bourbon!

While it is true that all bourbons are whiskeys, not all whiskeys are bourbons. And National Bourbon Day is definitely the best day to learn more about this delicious drink and enjoy a glass of it.

How to celebrate National Bourbon Day

• Make a cocktail based on bourbon

Sure, sometimes a cocktail made with hibiscus and strawberry bushes, Peychaud and anchor pepper bushes is exactly what you're craving after a tiring day at the office. For every other moment, a classic - such as Old Fashioned will do the trick. Probably the oldest and most famous mixed drink, Old Fashioned makes it very simple. Place a sugar cube (or a teaspoon of superfine sugar) in your premium glass and add a few Angostura bitter sugar cubes and a few drops of water. Add two ounces of your favorite bourbon and a few ice cubes; Stir quickly to cool drinks. Feeling super fancy? Decorate with a maraschino cherry or a slice of orange.

• Host a bourbon tasting party

If you're a purist, you might balk at these meager additions, in which case bourbon tasting is more of your style. Invite a few friends over, asking each person to bring a different bottle (or ask everyone to give it in advance so you can control the selection). Our tip: add a drop or two of distilled water to each pour; which will help open up the fragrance. Then engage your sense of smell and taste buds to uncover the flavors and characteristics of the bourbon. Does it smell like wood or smoke, or more fruity and floral? Have sweet or buttery notes? Nutty, earth, and herbs are also common descriptions of bourbons. Remember, the goal here is to compare and contrast, just like in high school essays, with the aim of discovering what you enjoy most about this spirit.

• See the masters at work from the comfort of your armchair

Did you know that there is a full-length documentary just for bourbon? The movie is called Neat: The Bourbon Film and although it doesn't have a release date yet, it looks like it's worth the wait, based on the trailer and social media trailers. In the meantime, check out the hour-long KET public broadcaster's "Kentucky Bourbon Tales," featuring interviews with master distillers.

Why we love National Bourbon Day

• It goes with everything

Bourbon is a fairly versatile wine, so whether you've just picked up a bottle or you're raving about the brass bar, you have options. Drink it upright or on ice; go gently with a little lemon; substitute it for most whiskey drinks - think Manhattans and Sazeracs; mix it with ginger beer. And although we associate Juleps with the Kentucky Derby, there's nothing wrong with having a bit of mint mixed in on any day of the year.

• It's truly American

The United States produces award-winning wines, exceptional craft beers, an increasingly high-quality range of ciders, some excellent vodka and a lot of over-sweet, exotic-tasting, ordered varieties, ridiculously named swill. However, all of those things (yes, even bargain-brand original schnapps) can be traced back to other cultures or countries. Only bourbon is indigenous not only to America but especially to South America, with about 95% of that coming from Kentucky.

• Bourbon is an adult drink

We laugh at memes that celebrate the hardships of insults, but there's something to be said about drinking like a real man or woman. Most drinkers start with cheap beer, coolers, or vodka mixed with whatever's in the fridge, and there's nothing wrong with drinking what's available when you're young. However, there will come a time to get rid of the red Solo cups and develop flavors for more sophisticated spirits. Enter bourbon, which is usually more accessible, such as a peat single malt Scotch or premium tequilas.