The history of bourbon

Did you know that not all whiskey is bourbon, but all bourbon is indeed whiskey? If you’re confused at this point and perhaps thinking, "Isn’t Bourbon just a county in Kentucky?" you’ve come to the right place. Whiskey classifications can be tricky, so to help clear things up, we’ve got a history lesson for you on America’s favorite spirit.

Dustin Haarstad, bartender and beverage director at a renowned whiskey bar, explains bourbon’s rise to prominence and the laws (yes, laws!) that determine what constitutes bourbon in this online lesson.

What you'll learn in The history of bourbon lesson

• The history of bourbon and how it gained popularity in the United States
• The distilling requirements for a whiskey to be called bourbon
• What ingredients can and can’t be included in bourbon
• The difference between straight and bonded bourbon