Its official! The US Senate has proclaimed September "NATIONAL BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH". Mix up a mint julep, manhattan or an old fashioned and join the celebration.

Like jazz and the space program bourbon remains one of those uniquely American products we have willingly given the world. And the world has responded.

Often confused with whiskey or whisky, for those with a Scotch bent, bourbon must fit certain classifications in order to be called bourbon.

• It must be made in the United States
• It must consist of at least 51% of corn
• It must be aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years.

On the last point most bourbons are aged a minimum of four years, and while its production happens in various states – two, primarily Tennessee and Kentucky are forerunners in the industry.

The Senate resolution strives to strengthen bourbon’s position as the only indigenous spirit of America. Given its history in the American landscape, with notables like George Washington having been an 18th century powerhouse distiller, spilled bloodshed (Whiskey Rebellion) and bourbon’s role during Prohibition is it any wonder the resolution was passed by a unanimous vote?

In 1964 Congress declared it an “American Native Spirit”, and over the passing decades the legacy has grown in stature. High-end bourbons like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam have seen their revenues rise from $450 millions to over $500 million since 2003. That equates to over 2.2 million cases in 2006 in just the United States alone. Total bourbon consumption is approximately 8% of the US’s total spirit sales.

Producers like Jim Beam in Bardstown KY are especially proud. With seven generations of whiskey producers Beam Global has declared 2007. “Year of Bourbon”, and plans are underway for special events for September’s declaration.

For those who like to mix a little bourbon with their traveling (responsibly of course) you might want to travel America’s Whisky Trail. From New York through Pennsylvania to Kentucky and Tennessee one discovers the rich heritage and ongoing presense.

Even if you cannot travel the Trail next month, feel free to get a bottle of your favorite bourbon and discover or rediscover the taste of America.

For more information on the American Whisky Trail see:seustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/american_whiskey_trail

neustravel.suite101.com/article.cfm/american_whiskey_trail_awtnorth

Mint Julep

1.5 oz bourbon

4 mint sprigs

1 tsp sugar dissolved in water & muddled with mint

Fill with shaved ice

Stir until frosted

Add mint sprigs and/or orange slice, pineapple spear, cherry

Manhattan

1 oz bourbon

1.5 oz sweet vermouth

Add lemon twist

Serve in a cocktail glass (4.5 oz)

Old Fashioned

1.5 oz. bourbon

2 dashes aromatic bitters

Fill with ice

Muddle Orange Slice with Sugar and bitters

Add cherry, orange slice, & lemon wedge

Top with splash of club soda

Serve in a rocks glass (6.0 oz)

(Recipes courtesy of Distilled Spirits Council)