Faq

No – but we LOVE that you think that. According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon.

Great question! Kentucky Bourbon is any Bourbon that has been produced from grains which are cooked, fermented, and distilled in Kentucky; the Bourbon then must be aged in Kentucky for a period of not less than one (1) year in order to have the word “Kentucky” or any word or phrase implying Kentucky origin appear on the front label or elsewhere on the retail container or package. (Yes, this is a law in Kentucky).

You can learn about more industry terms on our Glossary page.

All Bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is Bourbon. You’ve just got to know your ABCs:

• A – Bourbon is a distinct product of the United States of America, as declared by Congressional Resolution in 1964. Scotch has to be made in Scotland, Irish whiskey has to be made in Ireland, etc.
• B – Bourbon must be aged in a new, charred oak container. This container is almost always a barrel (unlike other whiskeys which often employ used barrels).
• C – The grain recipe – or mashbill – used to make Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn.
• D – Bourbon cannot be distilled above 160 proof. This preserves flavors and character from the cooking and fermentation process.
• E – Bourbon cannot enter the barrel at more than 125 proof. Water is added to achieve the desired entry proof.
• F – When Bourbon is bottled, like all whiskey, the bottles cannot be filled at less than 80 proof.
• G – It must be genuine – no color or flavoring agents or other spirits may be added (unlike Canadian whiskey).

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Absolutely not! All flavoring and coloring comes from the grains, yeast, and barrel.

Also known as a finishing, double matured or wood-finished, the process of secondary maturation involves adding an additional aging process into the orginal barrel – or – dumping a barrel of whiskey into a second barrel or cask. The second barrel may be new or may have been previously used to age another product such us wine, sherry, port, rum, etc.

You can learn about more industry terms on our Glossary page.

Yes. Similar to Tequila for Mexico or Champagne for France, Bourbon must be made in the United States of America thanks to the 1964 Congressional Resolution that declared it an indigenous product of the United States (or as we like to say, America’s only native spirit).

According to celiac.com – “Distillation removes gluten proteins from the final product, and starting 9/14/2020 distilled alcohols can be labelled “gluten-free” no matter their source. That means all distilled spirits are technically gluten-free. However, some people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have adverse reactions to spirits distilled from wheat, barley or rye. Many people with celiac disease have no problems at all with such spirits.”

We recommend consulting your physician before introducing a new item into your diet.

Heck yes! Here are some of our favorite Cocktails that feature our sacred spirit.

Welcome! We love newcomers.

If you’re new to Bourbon and it’s a little too strong for you at first, feel free to mix it. Make a cocktail, mix in some soda, or simply add water or ice. Over time, try diluting it less until you get used to drinking it neat or with a few ice cubes or just a splash of water.

Once you’re there, learn how to taste like a pro.

Not necessarily! There are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a bottle – what is the proof, where is it from, how long has it been aged, how hard to find is the bottle? At the end of the day, everyone likes what they like – and we like Kentucky Bourbon.

With a lot of practice (responsibly) and by completing your Bourbon Certification Course with the Stave & Thief Society!

We sure can! Check out the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® website and peruse the many Trip Planners we have crafted just for you.

Still need help? Order your handy Bourbon Trail™ Passport & Field Guide in advance of your trip to help you map out your route. You may also call the friendly staff at Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center at the Frazier Museum: 502-753-1699

Visit The Bourbon Source or email [email protected].

It depends! Kentucky alcohol producers may now ship spirits direct to consumers, but only to and from reciprocal states. See below for the list of reciprocal states, and visit Spirits 360 to learn more about what’s available to you.

(As of April 1, 2021) Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C. NOTE: Most of these states have specific, different guidelines on what can be shipped.