Exploring history through Bourbon Whiskey

visual tour of Bourbon country

We recently went and explored parts of the state of Kentucky. Specifically what is called the “Bourbon Trail”. This is something we have discussed doing many times, but had just not done it! We are so glad that we did. It was a journey of friendship, natural beauty and history. We enjoy a dram of whiskey now and again, and though I am most partial to the Irish spirit, good Bourbon whiskey is an icon of Americana.

The “Bourbon Trail” is not a specific route in which you start at point A and continue through Point Z. The Bourbon Trail is a mastery of marketing, tying competing distillers, municipalities, surrounding businesses and local historical landmarks into a true destination. The beauty of it is you can map your own way across the trail. In fact, we completed what I consider the “north bourbon trail”, there are still several fine unexplored distilleries to the south of what we visited . Those will be planned as a follow on trip one day!

In addition to the art and science of distillation of grain spirits (true Bourbon whiskey must be comprised of a minimum of 51% corn, water and any others grains desired). If it is a primarily Rye or Wheat whiskey etc. it won’t be labeled Bourbon, but Kentucky Whiskey. The history of the area and the distillers is the true gem.

Kentucky sits on the largest limestone dome in North America, the remains of the floor of ancient seabed. So what? You ask. The limestone filters the natural waters to an incredible clear & fresh drinking water. Slight digression here; the term “Bourbon” is in fact a result of the American affection for Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, who greatly assisted the revolutionary Army in the American war of independence. Many American veterans of this war settled Kentucky, even before they were supposed to!

Anyway….the settlers in Kentucky learned that they could distill a potent, clear alcohol that was used as a medicine, a sanitizer, in celebrations and also as a form of currency, from grains and the incredibly pure water. Bourbon whiskey was long from perfected at this time. In fact, it was nearly created on accident! Oak barrels, at that time, were used to store and transport nearly every trade good. Nails, grain, cloth, brined pork, and other preserved meats etc. Barrels were somewhat expensive for a settler to purchase new, so they were used over and again until they essentially fell apart. Say you are a Kentucky settler who has set up a copper pot still and have the capacity to make large quantities of alcohol. You will need stout barrels to store it in. After purchasing a wagon load of used oak barrels you might find they were previously used for iron nails, salted pork and variety of other things. You certainly would not want your valuable distilled spirit in a barrel of pork residue! It became common practice to burn to a char the insides of used barrels as a way to clean and sanitize them. For local alcohol storage and use it was generally short term in nature. There not much affect on the “white lightning” inside. However, it began to be used as a trade good and barges of whisky barrels were put together. These barges were floated down the Kentucky River when an adequate flood stage had been met. The barges moved from the Kentucky River into the Ohio River and ultimately the Mississippi River all the way to New Orleans. This journey could take up up two years to complete! Now, back to the Whiskey; after this two year journey being sloshed and pounded around in charred oak barrels, & subject to extremes of temperature and humidity, this did something to the alcohol. Buyers (familiar with clear alcohol) asked why they received a warm, brown alcohol instead of the normal clear alcohol. The distillers quickly learned it was not a complaint, but New Orleans wanted more of the smoother, more refined drink. It didn’t take long for distillers to figure out aging in charred oak barrels was the future!

Today, every distillery seems to have its own “proprietary blend” of grains, barrel charring and many other factors to make it unique.

If you get a chance to explore the deep forests, hills and winding byways of Kentucky, do so. Whether you drink whiskey or not, the natural beauty of the State, the historic landmarks and cities are a tonic to the modern stressed out life most of us lead now. I have included a link at the top for a great photo montage of our trip.

keep Traveling!

Al