giphy-4We love September. Football is back, the summer heat has begun to fade and Bourbon Heritage Month is in full swing. The month of celebrated was made official in 2007 by way of Congressional decree, and we have been honoring the uniquely American spirit ever since. September is wrapping up and we only have a few more days to celebrate, so here are some fun facts about our favorite export from the Bluegrass state:

  1. In order to be an official bourbon, a spirit much be made from at least 51% corn, aged in new-charred oak barrels and be bottled between 80 and 160 proof.
  2. In order for it to be “straight,” a bourbon must be aged for at least two years and can’t have any added flavors or coloring.
  3. There are more barrels of bourbon in Kentucky than there are people.
  4. In 1964, Congress declared bourbon to be “America’s Native Spirit” since bourbon is only made in the United States. And while technically it does not have to be made in Kentucky, the Bluegrass state is responsible for 95% of the country’s production of bourbon.
  5. Un-aged bourbon is a clear spirit called “white dog.”

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