Frugal MacDoogal Nashville

Bourbon Heritage Month

At Frugal MacDoogal, we love bourbon. You may have noticed. And, since 2007, when the U.S. Senate passed a resolution officially declaring September “National Bourbon Heritage Month,” we've lead the celebration here in Nashville!


Speaking of celebrating ... if you haven't met our Spirits Manager, Wes Painter,  this is your month to come in an introduce yourself. See, there might not be another man alive who celebrates bourbon more than he does. And, he's good at it. No, he's great at it! Tell you anything you want to know about the many fine bourbons we carry and even some we don't. 


Hope you'll pay us a visit this month as we celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month. Until then, here's a little history and some fun bourbon facts you should know.

Bourbon Requirements

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States." The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 CFR 5) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

  • Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
  • Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% abv)
  • Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
  • Bourbon may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof
  • Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of 2 years, may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon
  • Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging
  • If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle
  • Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon

Bourbon Requirements

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States." The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 CFR 5) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

  • Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
  • Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% abv)
  • Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
  • Bourbon may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof
  • Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of 2 years, may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon
  • Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging
  • If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle
  • Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon

RESOLUTION

Designating September 2007 as National Bourbon Heritage Month.


Whereas Congress declared bourbon as America’s Native Spirit in 1964, making it the only spirit distinctive to the United States;


Whereas the history of bourbon-making is interwoven with the history of the United States, from the first settlers of Kentucky in the 1700s, who began the bourbon-making process, to the 2,000 families and farmers distilling bourbon in Kentucky by the 1800s;


Whereas bourbon has been used as a form of currency;


Whereas generations have continued the heritage and tradition of the bourbon-making process, unchanged from the process used by their ancestors centuries before;


Whereas individual recipes for bourbon call for natural ingredients, utilizing the local Kentucky farming community and leading to continued economic development for the Commonwealth of Kentucky;


Whereas generations of people in the United States have traveled to Kentucky to experience the family heritage, tradition, and deep-rooted legacy that the Commonwealth contributes to the United States;


Whereas each year during September visitors from over 13 countries attend a Kentucky-inspired commemoration to celebrate the history of the Commonwealth, the distilleries, and bourbon;


Whereas people who enjoy bourbon should do so responsibly and in moderation; and


Whereas members of the beverage alcohol industry should continue efforts to promote responsible consumption and to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking: Now, therefore, be it


That the Senate—

(1) designates September 2007 as National Bourbon Heritage Month;

(2) recognizes bourbon as America’s Native Spirit and reinforces its heritage and tradition and its place in the history of the United States; and

(3) recognizes the contributions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the culture of the United States.

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