Bourbon

Definition:

America’s liquid love letter to corn. By law, it has to be at least 51% corn in the mash bill, aged a minimum of two years in brand-new charred oak barrels, and can’t cheat by sneaking in artificial flavor or color. The result? A spirit that naturally picks up notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak while sitting around in a wooden time machine.

Why it Matters:

Bourbon isn’t just whiskey, it’s the whiskey that Congress literally declared a “distinctive product of the United States” back in 1964. That’s right, bourbon has government backing, like a senator with more flavor. Behind every Old Fashioned or Mint Julep is the artistry of grains, oak, fire, and patience. For bartenders, knowing bourbon means knowing how to balance rich caramel sweetness with spice and depth, turning a standard cocktail into an all-American anthem in a glass.