You can take Bourbon out of Kentucky, but you can’t…
You might be hard-pressed to find two words that go together more naturally than “Kentucky” and “Bourbon”. Have you ever wondered why that is? (And no, it’s not because there are laws prohibiting anyone from making Bourbon outside of the state of Kentucky.) Yet the simple fact remains: 95% of all Bourbon is made in the Bluegrass State. So what is it that makes Kentucky so closely connected to Bourbon? Let’s briefly examine several unique factors which make Bourbon production almost impossible in any other part of the world.
It’s in the water. No, really.
Unless you’re a hydrologist, you might not necessarily be aware that Kentucky is known for its “hard” water. In plain terms, it means that Kentucky water contains a high proportion of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. And since both of these minerals are optimal for distilling, they also play a big part in the fermentation process.
The state of Kentucky also happens to sit on top of a massive blue limestone bed. As water flows through it, limestone not only adds distinctive flavor to the mix but also acts as a filter, eliminating bitter elements such as iron.
…And in the ground, too.
By definition, Bourbon mash bill must contain at least 51 percent corn. Well, Kentucky boasts some of the richest, most fertile soil in the country—the kind that’s ideal for growing high-quality corn which, as you may have already guessed, is absolutely essential to the unique flavor of Kentucky-made Bourbon.
Temperature swings are a good thing
Hot summers, chilly winters. The drastic temperature swings that are a part of the Kentucky climate cause barrels to shrink and contract during the years-long aging process. That means that the Bourbon literally moves in and out of the wood as the seasons change, contributing to the unique color and flavor of the final product.
People who know the craft
Would you hesitate to hire anyone with 200 years of experience on their resume? We didn’t think so.
Bourbon manufacturing began over two centuries ago with European immigrants who settled the area and who brought with them centuries’ worth of whiskey-distilling knowledge. As they perfected the process and began passing on the tradition from generation to generation, the Bourbon industry—and culture—as we know it today began taking shape. The rest, as they say, is history. And as anyone who’s ever taken a sip of the Kentucky Bourbon will likely tell you, it was all well worth the time and the effort.
If all this sounds compelling to you, don’t just take our word for it! Start planning your visit today to create your own version of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience.
