Whether you’re a born + bred Lexingtonian or have just moved here, one thing that defines the city is our love for bourbon. That sweet, bronze liquid drives much of our economy (~$9 billion for the state of Kentucky) and has single-handedly shaped our culture. In honor of National Bourbon Heritage Month, we decided to take a dive into the history of this beloved spirit.

So...what is bourbon?

Just after the American Revolution, a little place called Bourbon County, Kentucky (around 20 miles from Fayette County) became synonymous with a process already familiar with the European settlers of the region — taking corn, barley, or rye and aging it so it becomes whiskey. However, experts are still at odds about whether bourbon’s namesake came from the region.

Still, here in Kentucky, we take pride in differentiating the characteristics of whiskey vs. our crown jewel. In order for a whiskey to be considered a bourbon, it must:

Be made in the US
Consist of between 51 percent and 80 percent Indian corn
Age for at least two years in an oak barrel

Some distillers in the area also claim that Kentucky’s limestone spring water also gives our bourbon its recognizable flavor.

Why September?

In 2007, the late Senator Jim Bunning sponsored a bill that led to the official acknowledgment of bourbon and Kentucky's cultural contributions to the US. With its passage, National Bourbon Heritage Month was born and officially recognized bourbon as "America's Native Spirit."

Bespoken Spirits is one of the newest distilleries in Lexington, located within Greyline Station. | Photo courtesy of Bespoken Spirits

How to celebrate

Now that you’re equipped with all the bourbon trivia you need to know, the last thing to do is celebrate. Here’s some of our favorite spots: