Facts about Bourbon
- 11
Charcoal filtering through maple wood chips, known as the Lincoln County Process, removes sulfur compounds from bourbon and is legally required for whiskeys labeled as Tennessee bourbon.
- 10
A single bourbon barrel produces approximately 24 bottles of finished spirit, making cooperage costs and barrel management critical factors in production economics for Kentucky distilleries.
- 09
Master distillers identify bourbon quality by nosing the spirit at 100 proof, the standard proof at which professional tasters evaluate flavor profiles and detect defects before bottling.
- 08
During the prohibition era from 1920 to 1933, bourbon distilleries in Kentucky legally continued operations by producing medicinal whiskey under strict government supervision and licenses.
- 07
Bourbon barrels previously used to age the spirit are sold to scotch whisky distilleries in Scotland, where they impart vanilla and caramel notes to single malt scotch.
- 06
Woodford Reserve distillery, founded in 1812 near Versailles Kentucky, operates the oldest continuously operating bourbon distillery in the United States.
- 05
Distillers must use a mash bill containing at least 51% corn to legally produce bourbon, with the remaining grain typically consisting of rye, wheat, or barley for flavor variation.
- 04
Angel's share, the portion of bourbon that evaporates during aging, accounts for approximately 2% of the barrel's contents annually and represents millions of dollars in lost product across Kentucky distilleries.
- 03
Kentucky's bourbon industry generates approximately 2.7 billion dollars annually and employs over 17,500 workers across distilleries, cooperages, and distribution operations.
- 02
In 1964, Congress officially designated bourbon as a distinctive product of the United States, making it the only spirit with a federally protected geographical indication.
- 01
The US federal government requires bourbon to be aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years to earn the straight bourbon classification.