An exploration of bourbon’s origins, some crazy history bits, and the whiskey's standing as a uniquely American spirit.

This also is probably the most excited a podcast host has ever gotten about corn, so there’s that.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

Big Whiskey [Revised Edition], DeVito, C. (2021)

Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators, Nickles, J. (2020)

The History of Bourbon [Audible Edition], Albala, K. (2019)

The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022)

Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide, Jackson, M. (2005)

The World Atlas of Whisky [2nd Edition], Broom, D. (2014)

Websites:

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB): Code of Federal Regulations - Title 27, Subchapter A, Part 5, Subpart 5.143 - Whisky https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-5/subpart-I/section-5.143

Atlantic: America’s Lost Crops Rewrite the History of Farming, Laskow, S. (1 October 2022) https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/10/agricultural-revolution-is-wrong-corn-cultivation-lost-crops/671587/

Britannica: Corn (6 June 2023) https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant

The Bourbon Review: The Taft Decision, Veach, M. Edison, B. (17 February 2014) https://www.gobourbon.com/the-taft-decision/

Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS): Celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month This September, Quinn, M. (14 September 2020) https://www.distilledspirits.org/news/celebrate-national-bourbon-heritage-month-this-september/

Distillery Trail: Bottled in Bond Act Signed Into Law March 3, 1897 - The Law Explained by Fred Minnick & Bernie Lubbers [video], (3 March 2018) https://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/bottled-in-bond-act-signed-into-law-march-3-1897-the-law-explained-by-fred-bernie-video/

Food and Wine: Which Type of Corn Makes the Best Whiskey? Kuta, S. (10 February 2020) https://www.foodandwine.com/news/the-perfect-corn-variety-for-whiskey-doesnt-exi

Grapes and Grains: Bourbon - a Symbol of American History and Culture, Morais, R. (28 April 2017) https://www.grapesandgrains.org/2017/04/bourbon-symbol-of-american-history-and-culture.html

History: The Whiskey Ring and America’s First Special Prosecutor, Pruitt, S., (Updated 1 June 2023) https://www.history.com/news/the-whiskey-ring-and-americas-first-special-prosecutor

Hoover Institution: The Colonial Roots of American Taxation, 1607 - 1700, Rabushka, A. (1 August 2002) https://www.hoover.org/research/colonial-roots-american-taxation-1607-1700

Liquor.com: What is Bourbon? A guide to America’s Original Whisky, Morgan, A. (20 March 2023) https://www.liquor.com/bourbon-whiskey-guide-7369244

 Liquor Laboratory: Why is Bourbon Called Bourbon? The origins (2023 Updated), Martin, L. (8 May 2022) https://liquorlaboratory.com/why-is-bourbon-called-bourbon/#How_Bourbon_Got_Its_Name

Natural Agricultural Library (U.S. Department of Agriculture): Popcorn https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/popcorn/early-history

Salon: When it Comes to Making Bourbon, Why is Corn so Important?, Stevens, A. (24 August 2022) https://www.salon.com/2022/08/24/when-it-comes-to-making-bourbon-why-is-corn-so-important/

Science News: Corn Domestication Took Some Unexpected Twists and Turns, Bower, B. (13 December 2018) https://www.sciencenews.org/article/corn-domestication-process-long-complicated

Smithsonian Magazine, Where Bourbon Really Got Its Name and More Tips on America’s Native Spirit, Kiniry, L. (13 June 2013) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/where-bourbon-really-got-its-name-and-more-tips-on-americas-native-spirit-145879/

University of Utah, Genetic Science Learning Center: Evolution of Corn, https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/evolution/corn/

 

Glass in Session® Episodes Related to this Session:

S2E3: Apple Brandy - Domestic Happiness https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s2e3-apple-brandy-domestic-happiness

S4E6: Got Wood? Talkin’ bout Oak: https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s4e6-got-wood-talkin-bout-oak

S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whisky https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e3-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-1-champagne-whiskey

S9E2: Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s4e6-got-wood-talkin-bout-oak

S12E3: Madeira Primer https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/madeira-primer-s12e3

S12E1: Rum: King of Booty? https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/rum-king-of-booty-s12e4

S13E1: American Sparkling Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/american-sparkling-wine-s13e1

 

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: “Write Your Story” by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)