Bourbon can trace its roots all the way back to the late 1600s when settlers in the Appalachian Mountains were making whiskey from corn. The whiskey was stored in charred oak barrels and shipped down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. It was here that the whiskey was given the name “Bourbon”, in honor of the French Royal House of Bourbon.

The term “bourbon” was first used in print in 1821, and in 1964, the U.S. Congress declared bourbon as a “distinctive product of the United States”, meaning it must be produced in the U.S. to be called Bourbon.

In order to be considered a true bourbon, the whiskey must be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and distilled to no more than 160 proof. It must also be bottled at 80 proof or higher, and not contain any added coloring, flavoring, or other spirits.

Today, bourbon is one of the most popular types of whiskey in the world. It has a unique flavor that is sweet, smoky, and complex, and is enjoyed by whiskey connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.