WLSResources/ClothingExch

To be bourbon, it must be made in the US. Corn is the principle ingredient, but it can also use wheat, rye and barley. The mix of the grains makes up the mash. It takes years to find out if you got it right. The mash is distilled several times. It is stored in single use charred oak barrels for years. Two minimum (ick) 20 year is the most expensive. The storage in the barrels is what gives it the color and enhances the flavor. Moonshine may be a distilled mash, but it is clear because it wasn't stored in charred oak. Bourbon is a whiskey. But not all whiskey's are bourbon. By US statute, Scotch must come from Scotland, but it is still whiskey. From as long as there has been agriculture, people have been distilling, brewing and fermenting to preserve excess crops. Some are just much better at it than others. One of the first things the Puritans did when the landed in Mass...they set up their brewery. Most pastors in the 17-19'th Century were paid in whiskey. It is an interesting history, but much better to sample and enjoy in moderation.

@OKCPirate, you're not kidding me! How impressive that you know all this, not only the making of whiskeys, but the social history. Fun stuff. [Ahem, I feel safe and secure now.] I no longer recall all the details, but once upon a time I knew everything about a particular food product with a looong history. Do/did we know these things for the same reason or do you know your whiskey fact and lore because you're a boy? Anyway, thanks for the good read.

I'm a fan, and was visiting KY two weeks ago: my blog post on the trip http://suitsinstrangeplaces.blogspot.com/2016/10/lexington-ky-find.html