{"product_id":"off-the-bourbon-trail","title":"Off The Bourbon Trail","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThink outside the Bluegrass State\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eIt’s time to wander off the beaten track,\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e beyond the famous Kentucky Bourbon trail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e and into the craft Whiskey wilderness \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecourtesy of Anytown, USA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eThere is a common misconception that \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBourbon HAS to be made in Kentucky\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. Not to take anything away from the Bluegrass state – they DO produce more than 95% of the world’s Bourbon – but they \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDO NOT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e possess the exclusive right to make Bourbon, no sir.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eOf course, this begs another important question. Can they make GOOD Bourbon outside of Kentucky? You betcha! In fact, we would argue\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e they make AWESOME Bourbon all over the States\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, and we have proof to back the claim.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eAllow yourself the luxury to think outside the box with this…ahem, Tasting Box. Let’s hit the road less traveled!\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBourbon is as American as apple pie\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. In fact, in 1964, Congress named Bourbon \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"America’s Native Spirit.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e With that fancy title came quite a bit of regulation. An authentic Bourbon must contain at least 51 percent corn, must be aged in new, charred oak barrels, bottled at no less than 40% ABV and made in the good ol’ US of A. Other than that, game on.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eThat being said, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKentucky should be the starting point\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e for any real Bourbon enthusiast. That’s where the Bourbon culture was created, and most distinguished brands reside. However, since the Spirit can legally be made all over the country, venturing across the Kentucky border is quite a rewarding trip. Any decent appreciation of Bourbon must honor America’s Native Spirit in its territorial entirety, wouldn’t you agree?\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eOur selection is nothing if not widespread, with Bourbons coming from both coasts and a couple in between. \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe craft Bourbon movement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e picked up a head of steam, and we’re trying our best to keep up with all the influx of exciting and innovative expressions. Not that we’re complaining, since a lot of these newcomers are giving the old Kentucky bellwethers a run for their money.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eYou don’t believe us? It’s time to get out there and \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003etest the (fire)water.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheers!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmartass Corner:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e1) The legislation specifically states that after the charred oak barrels have been used once, they can \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eno longer be used for Bourbon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. More often than not they are recycled and used to age Scotch.\u003cbr\u003e\r\n \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e2) While on the subject - there are \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003emore barrels of Bourbon aging in Kentucky than there are people living in the state\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. According to the Kentucky Distiller’s Association, \"only the Bluegrass state has the perfect mix of climate, conditions and limestone water necessary for producing world’s greatest Bourbon.\" We respectfully disagree.\u003cbr\u003e\r\n \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e3) Hudson Baby Bourbon proves that \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enot all good Bourbon comes from the South\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. It’s also the first legal aged Whiskey produced in New York since Prohibition made from 100% corn. Yes, 100% corn. When you factor in the recipe, the unique maturation and the use of small barrels, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t one of the most unique and interesting Bourbons out there.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e4) As much as we love the modern craft movement, many \"artisan\" brands are actually hiding a dirty little secret. Chances are your favorite \"unique small batch handcrafted Whiskey\" is actually sourced from \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea big factory distillery in Indiana called MGP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\r\n \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e5) The common belief is Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, but some historians believe that it actually gets its name from \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBourbon Street in New Orleans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, where Whiskey was shipped down the Mississippi for trade. Better not get into an argument with a Kentuckian about this though.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Flaviar","offers":[{"title":"2","offer_id":46375945601081,"sku":"shs1787266069519","price":33.23,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"72","offer_id":46375945633849,"sku":"bmf1787266069520","price":34.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"86","offer_id":46375945666617,"sku":"kif1787266069521","price":30.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"215","offer_id":46375945699385,"sku":"yhu1787266069522","price":26.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"88","offer_id":46375945732153,"sku":"pmg1787266069523","price":31.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0795\/9176\/8121\/files\/off-the-bourbon-trail_1.png?v=1787266079","url":"https:\/\/myoutfitstore.shop\/products\/off-the-bourbon-trail","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}