Among the spirits we drink today, bourbon has one of the most fascinating histories in the United States. Distilled since the 18th-century, it has ascended from humble origins to become one of the most sought-after (and beloved) drinks today.
These days, store shelves are stocked with a wealth of styles of the spirit, from craft distilleries to popular mass brands. The diversity is great. But labeling can become confusing, with terms like single-barrel, double-barrel, cask and more. Among them, single-barrel is regarded as one of the most coveted styles. So, what does it mean and why does it matter?
A Brief History of Bourbon
Bourbon is a very specific type of whiskey that must be made with at least 51% corn in its mash bill and aged in charred oak barrels. Its precise origins are unknown, with a number of people laying claim to its invention.
One legend, relays Heather Greene in Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life, is that savvy businessmen called their whiskey “bourbon” to make it more appealing to French immigrants in Louisiana. Another is that the spirit was named after a Kentucky county that produced a lot of the spirit. There’s also the popular tale that a Baptist minister named Elijah Craig invented it.
Regardless, there’s no denying that Kentucky remains the epicenter of the bourbon world. Today it produces 95% of the world’s supply, though contrary to what some may believe, it can be made anywhere in the U.S.
In
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
