Getting to Know Bourbon

Bourbon is special. So special, in fact, that on May 4, 1964, the United States Congress issued a resolution naming bourbon as "America's Native Spirit" - the only beverage celebrated in such a fashion. Bourbon is so popular that some rare bottles of bourbon sell for tens of thousands of dollars - and single "shots" of some highly prized bourbons can be sipped by those willing to pay hundreds of dollars for the experience. Bourbon originated in frontier America and grew with America's expansion west. It survived a national effort to prohibit the sale of all alcohol-based beverages and thrives now as thousands of visitors tour Kentucky's many distilleries every day. Almost as special as sipping a good bourbon are the light-hearted and compelling stories this book provides about bourbon and many of the colorful characters in bourbon's past. The book describes what makes bourbon different from other alcohol-based beverages, explaining how (and why) bourbon spends years (sometimes decades) "maturing" in charred oak barrels before it is bottled, sold and sipped. The book starts with a section telling the story of the production of bourbon "from the ground up" - where and how bourbon is made, its remarkably few ingredients, the "secrets" of what takes place during bourbon's fermentation, distillation and aging processes as well as sharing what the label on a bourbon bottle can tell us about that particular bourbon's birthplace, contents, background and age. The second section of the book is a "glossary" of bourbon terms - set out alphabetically for ease of access and provided with humor and without technical jargon. Then comes the history section. It deals with how the early growth of the United States affected the early growth of bourbon and how bourbon contributed to America's expansion west, industrial growth, war efforts and bourbon's tremendous impact on the U.S. Treasury. Next are some recommended "rules" for bourbon buying, gifting, drinking and socializing. Finally, the book arrives at a "top shelf" discussion of ways to enjoy bourbon - with recipes.

Cheers! It is time to for a drink of bourbon - as we sit back, open the book and "get to know bourbon."