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The Bluegrass and bourbon go hand in hand. This is common knowledge, and a celebrated part of Kentucky culture. But have you ever stopped and wondered why? Today we’re going down the proverbial bourbon rabbit hole, and getting to the bottom of just why Kentucky is world famous for this distilled sprit. Pour yourself a glass and settle in for a little history lesson on bourbon in the Bluegrass State!
Kentucky is world-famous for its bourbon, producing some 95% of the world's supply of this spicy, sultry spirit.
Kentucky boasts some of the richest, most fertile soil in the country, ideal for growing the most essential ingredient in bourbon: corn. Bourbon must contain at least 51 percent corn, and the Bluegrass is certainly up to the task, with each of the state's 120 counties growing this golden crop.
Water plays another key role in Bluegrass bourbon production. The water in Kentucky has a high pH and a high proportion of minerals. These elements are optimal for distilling; they aid the fermentation process and create the deep, bold bourbon for which the Bluegrass is known.
Another piece of the puzzle is geography; Kentucky sits atop vast deposits of blue limestone, which filters out hard iron and imparts sweet-tasting calcium and magnesium, two elements crucial to the bourbon making process.
In terms of temperatures, Kentucky's four seasons, which range from frosty winters to sweltering summers, are also conducive to producing bourbon. These dramatic temperature swings cause the charred oak barrels, which in turn give the spirit its copper color and distinctive taste.
Kentucky was first settled by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, who brought the whiskey-distilling methods of the Old Country. This spirited tradition was handed down from generation to generation, laying the groundwork for the bourbon bounty that would later bloom in the Bluegrass.
Today, you have a state that's world-famous for bourbon, and incredibly proud of this legacy. From the Bourbon Trail and the annual Bourbon Festival to the 70+ big-name and independent distilleries across the state, Kentucky is known far and wide as bourbon country... and that's just the way we like it!
Did you know all of the history behind bourbon in the Bluegrass State? Have you visited any Kentucky distilleries before? If you want to take your bourbon experience to the next level, we absolutely recommend spending a night at the magnificent Maker’s Mark family home!
Kentucky may be world-famous for bourbon, but it’s actually *not* the official state drink of the Bluegrass… this spicy soft drink is!
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