This document discusses the rising popularity of bourbon in recent years. It notes that bourbon bars are opening across the nation to keep up with demand for the spirit. While once considered a manly drink, bourbon is increasingly attracting female drinkers as well. The history and production of bourbon is explored, with 95% being produced in Kentucky due to its ideal climate and limestone water. Women have long been involved in bourbon production and consumption, though it was once expected to be done privately. As interest in bourbon grows, new cocktails featuring the spirit are attracting more drinkers.

1. ast year People magazine dubbed
bourbon the trend drink for 2014.
The popularity of the spirit shows
no signs of slowing down in 2015, and
bourbon bars across the nation are opening
at a furious pace to keep up with demand.
The spirit once deemed manly is increasingly
attracting women who enjoy its tremendous
complexity of flavors.
The history of bourbon is as
compelling as its flavor—it is America’s
only native spirit (vodka hails from Eastern
Europe; rum from the Caribbean and
Scotch whisky from Scotland). Michael
Veach, bourbon historian at the Filson
Historical Society, points out that it is the
only spirit created in the U.S. Japan is the
most prolific market outside of America.
To be labeled bourbon, the product
must be made with a minimum of 51
percent corn, aged in charred, new-oak barrels,
stored at no more than 125 proof and made
in the U.S. Kentucky produces 95 percent
of the world’s supply for a reason —it has
the perfect trifecta of climate, conditions
and pure limestone water necessary for
producing the world’s best bourbon.
Why is limestone water so
important? For one, it is iron-free, which
eliminates off tastes but more importantly
creates a healthy environment for yeast. In
the 1870s, the four pillars of Kentucky society
were based on limestone water: bourbon,
horses, tobacco and women.
“Women have always been
involved with bourbon,” said Veach. “It is
not a trend in Kentucky but is a way of life
– women have always consumed bourbon
and the spirit played an important role in
women’s economic history. Once it started
being bottled, women took over on the
bottling line and it became a source of
employment. If they were working with
bourbon, they were most likely drinking it
at home.”
Susan Reigler, award winning
author and president of the Bourbon
Women Association, says the interest in the
spirit has spurred “bourbon tourism” and
national pride. “Bourbon can’t be out-
sourced— it has to be made in America,”
said Reigler. About the organization she
said, “The best part about Bourbon Women
is how smart, savvy women of all ages are
reclaiming our whiskey history. After all, an
Alexandrian woman, Maria Hebraea,
invented the still more than 2,000 years ago.”
James Beard-nominated chef and
Louisville restaurant owner Ed Lee
featured on the PBS television show, The
Mind of a Chef, says “bourbon’s renaissance
seemed inevitable.” He adds, “Bartenders
were looking for high quality spirits to add
structure to their libations. Combine that
with a steady resurgence in Southern food
and anything south of the Mason-Dixon,
and you had the perfect storm of a renaissance
just waiting to happen.”
Bolstered by quality bourbon
production and the popularity of “Mad
Men” and “Boardwalk Empire,” drink-
masters across the country are tinkering
with classic recipes such as the Manhattan
and Old Fashioned. The new bourbon
cocktails are enticing men and women to
give America’s spirit a try. If cocktails are
not your style, it is always in vogue to drink
bourbon neat – without ice, water or mixer
and at room temperature.
WINE
The Renaissance of America’s Spirit and
Women’s Role in Bourbon
Lynne Brandon
L
Joy Perrine's Bourbon Ball
62 The Virginia Sportsman  Aug/Sept 2015

2. The concept of women and
bourbon is not a novel one, but a return to
a time when the gentler sex imbibed the
spirit even if in privacy of their homes. The
difference today is freedom. Now, women
are enjoying the heritage drink when and
however they like, and without asking
permission.
Bourbon Cocktails
The Bourbon Ball is an award winning
cocktail.
Joy Perrine’s Bourbon Ball
 1 part Woodford Reserve (or bourbon of
your choice)
1 part Tuaca
1 part dark creme de cacao
Combine, shake over ice, and strain into a
chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a
strawberry on the rim.
Vanilla Bean-Bourbon Champagne
Cocktail
1.5 oz. bourbon (Old Forester 86 proof
or your choice)
1.5 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Vanilla Simple Syrup (1 oz. if you want
a little more bourbon flavor)
Korbel Brut (or other dry Champagne)
Stir together bourbon and simple syrup and
pour into a flute. Top glass off with
Champagne and enjoy!
Lynne Brandon is the senior editor for
North and South Carolina Relocation
magazines, as well as senior editor for
Southwind Journeys. She is also a regular
contributor to publications throughout the
Southeast. Some of her trips are featured on
dwellable.com. Follow her on Twitter at
@BrandonComm.
Photo and recipe of Vanilla Bean-Bourbon Champagne cocktail by
Carla Carlton
Get on Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail (www.kybourbontrail.com)
that includes nine famed distilleries such as Wild Turkey,
Four Roses and Maker’s Mark. Take a tour, sip some
bourbon and inhale the sweetest smell on earth in bourbon
rickhouses.
Louisville takes a city approach with its “Urban Bourbon
Trail” (www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bour
bon-trail) with stops throughout area restaurants and bars.
Bone up on bourbon history and sip while you read. Two to
imbibe are Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American
Heritage by Michael Veach, and Whiskey Women by Fred
Minnick.
Don’t Miss: Five days of bourbon experiences and events at
the Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Sept.15-20, Bardstown,
Kentucky – www.kybourbonfestival.com.
63 The Virginia Sportsman  Aug/Sept 2015