- Bourbon is an American whiskey, named for Bourbon County, Kentucky.
- Bourbon has been produced since the 18th century.
- On May 4, 1964, the US Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States."
- High-end bourbon sales accounted for 8% of total spirits growth in 2006.
- The typical grain mixture for bourbon, known as the mash bill, is 70 percent corn with the remainder being wheat and/or rye, and malted barley.
- Most bourbon whiskey is sold at 80 US proof.
- Bardstown, Kentucky, is called the Bourbon Capital of the World.
- Estimates are that 95 percent of the world's bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky.
- Bourbon is now sold in more than 100 countries. The leading markets are the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Japan.
- Bourbon has also been made in Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Bourbon (American whiskey) facts
