14 things you didn't know about bourbon
Contributed by on Jan 14, 2014
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To the dismay of Casper the Friendly Ghost, bourbon was officially crowned America's native spirit in 1964. How you drink it says a lot about your personality (find out here!), but how little you know about it says even more. Here are 14 facts to help level up your bourbon knowledge and make you the most interesting person at the bar, except for the guy who drank a lot more bourbon than you.
1. The name originally derives from the House of Bourbon
They were French royalty who first came to power in the 16th century and eventually ruled over France, Sicily, Spain, Luxembourg, Parma, and Naples, mostly thanks to a trio of dragons and the strong leadership of Khaleesi.
2. It doesn't have to be made in Kentucky
Although 95% comes from the Bluegrass State, Kentuckians don't have an exclusive claim. It can be made in other states, but bourbon does need to be made in the United States, mostly because our colors don't run... into the whiskey.
3. The Rules
By official government mandate, these rules must be thumb-tacked to the corkboard of every distillery: bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, begin barrel-aging at no more than 125 proof, and be bottled between 80 and 160 proof.
