I intended to write this column last week at the beginning of the month, but I forgot about it last Wednesday until it was too late to write it. So here we are, 10 days into Bourbon Heritage Month, and it’s time to celebrate it.
Although American whiskey, including bourbon, is as old as America itself, Bourbon Heritage Month is a relatively new thing. The late Jim Bunning, then a senator from Kentucky, sponsored the 2007 resolution that designated September as a month to celebrate America’s native spirit and recognize bourbon’s role in U.S. history and culture.
It’s not the first time that Congress has gotten involved in putting a spotlight on bourbon. In 1964, Congress first recognized bourbon as a distinctive product of the United States. That means that only the U.S. can legally make bourbon.
For the uninitiated, bourbon is distinct because it must come from the U.S. The mash bill must be at least 51% corn. Distillers must distill it at no more than 160 proof and barrel it at no more than 125 proof. They must also age their products in new, charred oak barrels and bottle the bourbon at a minimum of 80 proof.
Kentucky is bourbon’s heartland. A confluence of factors — limestone water, red clay fields of corn, and a whole lot of stubborn pride — led the Bluegrass State to pioneer this unique whiskey, and it has paid off for Kentucky in the form of a massive tourism industry.
The state is responsible for 95% of the bourbon produced, but anyone in the U.S. can make it. As such, bourbon has become a symbol of Americana.
Of course, I’m partial to bourbon that comes from anywhere in the South. Bourbon is part of a broader Southern cultural heritage, and it has strong associations with the South. Bourbon isn’t just Southern; it’s American, but the South gave it its soul.
Related: Whiskey Wednesday: Reviewing 4 Georgia Bourbons
I don’t remember when I first tried bourbon, but I started to become a connoisseur in my 40s. My younger brother made recommendations that got me started on a sophisticated bourbon journey, and trying new varieties at our tailgate location (before Georgia Bulldogs football games) broadened my horizons.
My first bourbon love was Woodford Reserve, and it’s still my gold standard. I’ve written before about my love of budget bourbons, and I would still rather buy a few bottles of something more affordable than splurge on one more expensive bottle.
Other go-to bourbons for me include Elijah Craig Small Batch, Johnny Drum, Old Forrester 100, and Bluegrass Distillers Bottled in Bond. I’ve enjoyed trying some Georgia bourbons, and my favorites include ASW Hunker (Go Dawgs!), Old Fourth Distillery Bottled in Bond, and ASW Fiddler.
I don’t experiment much with bourbon cocktails, although I enjoy an Old Fashioned from time to time. I’ve been playing around with infusion jars. I’ll take some of the dried orange slices, dried pineapple, dried cherries, and candied ginger from Trader Joe’s, put them in a jar, pour some bourbon in, and let it infuse for a couple of days. Good stuff!
There are plenty of ways to celebrate bourbon this month. Find out what bourbons pair well with your favorite foods. ChatGPT took me down a rabbit trail not long ago with which bourbons pair best with peanut butter; the list included four of my favorite budget bourbons. I even walked away from the conversation with a recipe for peanut butter simple syrup and a PB&J Old Fashioned. (I’ll write about those when I get a chance to test drive those recipes.) I also recommend spreading your wings and trying some craft bourbons. You’ll be surprised by what you can discover when you go exploring.
How will you celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month? Let me know in the comments.
