When it comes to the history of bourbon, the exact origins of its name are not entirely clear. The term “bourbon” as we know it today may not have been used until the 1850s, and its association with Bourbon County, Kentucky did not appear until the 1870s.
To understand the naming of bourbon, we have to delve into the history of American whiskey. Whiskey production in America began in the late 18th century, with farmers distilling surplus grains into spirits. As the industry grew, different regions developed their own unique styles of whiskey.
One such region was Kentucky, where whiskey production thrived due to its fertile soil and abundant corn crops. The whiskey produced in Kentucky was known for its high corn content, which gave it a distinct flavor and character.
It is believed that the name “bourbon” originated from Bourbon County, Kentucky, which was a prominent county in the early days of American whiskey production. However, there are conflicting accounts of how the name came to be associated with the county.
One popular story is that in the late 18th century, a Baptist minister named Elijah Craig, who was also a distiller, began aging his whiskey in charred oak barrels. This aging process imparted a rich, mellow flavor to the spirit. It is said that Craig's whiskey became so popular that people began referring to it as “Old Bourbon,” in honor of Bourbon County.
Another theory suggests that the name “bourbon” was adopted in the mid-19th century as a marketing strategy. Distillers from Kentucky wanted to differentiate their whiskey from other regional styles, such as rye whiskey from Pennsylvania. By associating their whiskey with Bourbon County, they could create a sense of prestige and quality.
Regardless of the exact origin, by the 1850s, the term “bourbon” was being used to refer to Kentucky whiskey. It gained further recognition and popularity in the following decades, particularly after the Civil War.
It is worth noting that the term “bourbon” was not legally protected until the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which established specific regulations for bourbon production. Prior to that, the term was used more loosely and applied to a variety of whiskeys produced in Kentucky and beyond.
The name “bourbon” as we know it today may have emerged in the 1850s, but its association with Bourbon County, Kentucky did not appear until the 1870s. The exact origin of the name is still debated, with various theories suggesting connections to prominent figures like Elijah Craig or marketing strategies by Kentucky distillers. The term gained widespread recognition and legal protection in the late 19th century, solidifying its association with the iconic American whiskey style we know as bourbon.