Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia

by Mauka · Published January 30, 2024 · Updated April 25, 2024

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia

As one of the most beloved spirits in America, bourbon has a rich history and unique flavors that have captured the hearts of many. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just starting to explore this delicious drink, we’ve got some fun facts that will make you appreciate it even more.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia: The sources of flavor in Bourbon
GRAIN, WATER, FERMENTATION, DISTILLATION, MATURATION

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
Uncovering the Story Behind Bourbon: A Deliciously Spirited Tale
Let’s delve into a bit of history behind the name “bourbon”.

Legend has it that Reverend Elijah Craig is responsible for naming this beloved drink. He was a Baptist minister who also happened to be one of the first distillers in Kentucky.
One day, while out purchasing supplies for his church, he came across some charred oak barrels that had been damaged during transportation.
Rather than waste them, he decided to use them for aging his whiskey.
The resulting product was smoother and more flavorful than other whiskeys at the time and soon became known as “bourbon” after its county of origin.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
From Moonshine to Bourbon: A Flavorful Transformation!

At first, moonshine may seem like a rough and raw spirit, but as it matures into Bourbon, it undergoes a wondrous transformation.
Although whiskey is initially colorless, the sugars in the charred wood of the barrels work their magic over time, giving it a deep amber hue and enhancing its delicious flavor.
Some distillers affectionately refer to this pre-barrel stage of whiskey as “white whiskey” or “white dog.”

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
The Spirited Story Behind Bourbon’s Name

As a result of the 1791 Whiskey Rebellion, George Washington decided to relocate unhappy settlers to Kentucky, which at the time was a part of Virginia.
To honor this new settlement, Governor Thomas Jefferson named it Bourbon County after the French Bourbon dynasty.
As distillers started sending out their barrels, they began labeling each one with “Bourbon County” as a way to identify its source. This simple act ended up giving the drink its now iconic name.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
The Rise of Bourbon County Distilleries: A Toast to 2014 and Beyond!
The town where bourbon first originated remained free of any alcohol until the year 2014, when a local and independent distillery, Hartfield & Co., finally decided to open up shop.

Kentucky Bourbon Fun Facts at Woodford Reserve

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
Bourbon: The Unrestricted Spirit
Did you know that “Straight Bourbon” must be aged for a minimum of 2 years?

But the sweet spot for aging Bourbon is between 5 to 12 years – although it’s totally fine if it’s less than 4 years.
Just a heads up, any Bourbon aged less than 4 years will have a label stating so! Happy sipping!

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
The Recognition of Bourbon as Our Native Spirit

Back in 1964, our government made an important decision. They recognized Bourbon as the official spirit of America and took steps to protect our local distillers from any competition from abroad.
And here’s a funny twist – the person in charge of handling this legislation was August Bourbon! Maybe it was just a coincidence, but his colleagues couldn’t help but have a little fun with the situation. Cheers to that!

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
Cheers to Kentucky: Where Barrels of Bourbon Reign Supreme!
Did you know that there are about 2 barrels of Bourbon for every person living in Kentucky? That’s enough to keep everyone happy and relaxed!

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
Exploring the World of Bourbon Outside of Kentucky
Did you know that there is at least one Bourbon maker in every state, except for Hawaii?

But when it comes to the ideal conditions for making this beloved whiskey, Kentucky takes the cake.
Thanks to its perfect weather, unique limestone-filtered water, and plentiful locally grown corn, it’s no wonder that over 90% of all Bourbon is produced in Kentucky.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
The Prohibition Loophole: How a Doctor’s Note Could Get You Bourbon

As part of the religious practices, rabbis and priests were given permission to obtain a limited amount of wine.
In addition, small quantities of Bourbon could also be obtained with a medical prescription from a doctor.
This was a beneficial practice that helped support certain distilleries throughout the 13 years of prohibition.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Trivia
Understanding What Makes a Whiskey a Bourbon

In order for a whiskey to be considered bourbon, it must meet five qualifications.
First, it must be produced and aged in the United States.
Second, its mash must consist of at least 51% corn.
Third, its distillation level cannot exceed 159 proof (79.5 percent ABV).
Fourth, it must be aged in new charred oak barrels and entered into the barrel at a maximum of 125 proof.
And finally, it must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.