Did you know? The month of September is National Bourbon Heritage Month. It was actually made official when thirteen years ago, Congress unanimously passed a resolution on the matter. Congress made the case for passing the resolution through the historical lens of bourbon’s significance on the origins of our country.

“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;”

Thirteen years later, bourbon is made in states across the country but is still predominantly made in Kentucky; the latest numbers show it’s responsible for 95% of the world’s bourbon. There has also been a cultural shift in that it has become a highly prized and appreciated spirit. Not only are sales booming in both the U.S. and around the globe, but the growing community of whiskey lovers view it as “more than” a mere spirit. It’s loved and enjoyed for its taste as well as the spirit of tradition and family it embodies.

So if you’re looking for ways to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage month, get your hands on a bottle of these three WC-recommend bourbons. You’ll be sure to thank us.

• Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey.  The proud legacy of the best whiskey maker the world never knew, Tennessee distilling legend, Nearest Green. Nearest taught the orphan ‘Jack Daniel’ how to distill.
• Pinhook Bourbon, produced by Castle & Key Distillery in Kentucky. Bourbon Country is the latest edition of straight bourbon whiskey produced by Pinhook. The traditional mashbill has over three years of barrel age and was blended and proofed by Sean Josephs at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY.
• Cream of Kentucky 11.5 L&K special release. Exclusive Cream of Kentucky 11.5 Loch & K(e)y selection “Extra Cream” signed by Jim Rutledge. This is the first batch 11.5 that wasn’t bottled at the same time as the rest due to bottle supply issues. As a result, the marrying time was greatly extended in addition to an extra trip to neutral storage and back to bottling line. Only 120 bottles exist.