Bourbon whiskey facts for kids

Bottles of bourbon whiskey at a liquor store.

Bourbon is a whiskey that is distilled from grain mash containing at least 51% corn and aged a minimum of two years.

The name is derived from the French Bourbon dynasty, although the precise inspiration for the whiskey's name is uncertain; contenders include Bourbon County in Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, both of which are named after the dynasty.

Bourbon has been distilled since the 18th century. Many bourbons are made using a method called "sour mash" where fermentation of each new batch contains a little of the batch before to achieve a consistent quality.

Images for kids

• 

  Nineteenth century bourbon bottle

• 

  American white oak barrels filled with new bourbon whiskey rest in a rickhouse, giving bourbon its well-known copper color.

• 

  The bourbon distilleries that produce Buffalo Trace (left), Maker's Mark (center), and Woodford Reserve (right), are National Historic Landmarks in Kentucky.

• 

  Used bourbon barrels awaiting fresh contents in Scotland

See also

In Spanish: Whisky de Bourbon para niños