Whiskey Nips: National Bourbon Heritage Month

September is nearly here, and for a lot of us, that means it’s time to gear up for bourbon hunting season. The release of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon on September 2nd kicks off the first of the allocated bourbons expected to come out this time of the year. Fanatics will be out and about trying to get their hands on this, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch, and many others.

But September is also special for us bourbon drinkers because it is National Bourbon Heritage Month. The U.S. Senate passed a bill in 2007, unanimously declaring September as National Bourbon Heritage Month. The bill was sponsored by Kentucky senator Jim Bunning, and encourages us to recognize the history of bourbon in this country, and to do so responsibly. I will be celebrating by trying a different bourbon every day. How will you be celebrating?

Below you will find the bill from Congress.gov:

110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 294

Designating September 2007 as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 2, 2007
Mr. Bunning submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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

Resolved, 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.

 

If you have any questions about whiskey and would like me to cover them in this blog, please send me a message on Instagram @glassofwhiskey86 or email tony206@gmail.com.

Cheers!

Tony Freund