The Origins and Evolution of Kentucky Bourbon

Ryan Kerr from Townsends explains the origins of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, why its production is centered in Kentucky, the cultural ownership of bourbon, and how the spirit evolved from its original clear to the iconic caramel color of modern times.

We understand today that there is a differencebetween bourbon and whiskey we don't always knowwhat it is, but we understand culturally thatthere is a distinction. ...

He does, however, dispel certain myths about bourbon despite local pride.

There are a lot of really strong feelings about bourbon versus what people call Tennessee whiskey. ...They're makinga clear distinction that there's something specialabout their Kentucky bourbon. ...In fact you'll even hear that for a bourbon to be a bourbon it has to be made inKentucky which is not true and it never has been but that is part of their heritage they're proudof that.

Kerr also explained what bourbon was like and how it was served in the 18th Century.

When we taste a white whiskey like this. Now it canleave a little bit to be desired. We're used to bourbons that have been aged in these white oak barrels for several years and they're morerounded. ...but it'sstill it's still good. It's fine. What wasreally popular in the time period was to make it brandy or a rum punch and you start to seewhiskey coming in as the alcohol in those punches