Kentucky Claims True Bourbon Heritage
We’ve read quite a bit this month from our Whiskey Network writers about National Bourbon Heritage Month. This is a special celebration enacted by Congress in 2007 to honor “American’s native spirit.”
But as September winds down this week, I thought we should narrow out focus a bit on where it all started: right here in Kentucky. Here we celebrate Kentucky Bourbon Heritage Month.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear kicked off the month with a proclamation ”making the Commonwealth the one true and authentic home for America’s only native spirit.”
“Bourbon is essential to building Kentucky’s economy, supporting local communities and farmers, and giving thousands of families a good-paying job,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “We are grateful to these industry leaders for their commitment to growing right here in Kentucky – because when Bourbon succeeds, so do we.
But here’s my favorite thing that I’ve heard Governor Beshear say at more than one bourbon event:
“Nintey-five percent of all bourbon comes from Kentucky. And the other 5 percent is counterfeit.”
During the recent induction ceremony for the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, it was said that new inductee and former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer might have coined that phrase first. I’ll let the two of them argue over its origin. But I like the Bluegrass bourbon bravado, no matter who said it first.
Whether you prefer to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month, or Kentucky Bourbon Heritage month, you can’t go wrong. You’ve still got several days to raise a glass of your favorite bourbon to toast this special month.
Oh, and as the Kentucky Distiller’s Association reminds us, “Please enjoy Bourbon like a true Kentuckian – Responsibly.”
