The U.S. Senate has again recognized the place that bourbon enjoys in our history by designating September 2007 as National Bourbon Heritage Month.
And with good reason – bourbon is truly an all-American drink. The resolution states in part:
“Whereas Congress declared bourbon as `America's Native Spirit' in 1964, making it the only spirit distinctive to the United States;
Whereas the history of bourbon-making is interwoven with the history of the United States, from the first settlers of Kentucky in the 1700s, who began the bourbon-making process, to the 2,000 families and farmers distilling bourbon in Kentucky by the 1800s;
Whereas bourbon has been used as a form of currency;
Whereas generations have continued the heritage and tradition of the bourbon-making process, unchanged from the process used by their ancestors centuries before;
Whereas individual recipes for bourbon call for natural ingredients, utilizing the local Kentucky farming community and leading to continued economic development for the Commonwealth of Kentucky....”
So take the time to rejoice and celebrate. Explore a bit of history on the American Whiskey Trail. You can enjoy a Manhattan or a Mint Julep. Bourbon even has great place in cooking, with Orange Bourbon Sweet Potatoes, Maple Bourbon Squash, or Bourbon Brownies. It’s all good!
