On this hour of Modern Notion Daily, were talking with Reid Mitenbuler, author of Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of Americas Whiskey (Viking, May 2015). The history of bourbon collides with major events in Americas past, from the Whiskey Rebellion to Prohibition. And even modern-day bourbon marketing makes ample use of Americas history of frontiersmen and the Wild West—with varying degrees of veracity.

Music this hour:

“Elle va au Japon” by Nic Bommarito, from the album A Quiet Age

“Soldiertype (militarised)” by Ketsa, from the album What’s Without’s Within