How Bourbon Got Its Name
The origins of bourbon whiskey are shrouded in mystery and interlaced with fable. Even the name for this corn-based whiskey has several origin stories that include a Kentucky county, a famously debaucherous thoroughfare in New Orleans, and merchants with savvy marketing skills.
“by name, which was eventually shortened to bourbon. Similarly, some believe Bourbon Street lent its name when visitors to New Orleans who tried the Kentucky whiskey on Bourbon Street began asking for”
Both Bourbon County, Kentucky, and Bourbon Street, in New Orleans, are named after this royal family. But from there the trail of this whiskey's name gets murkier. Bourbon County is one contender for the name's origin. In 1785, Virginia created the county and named it in honor of the House of Bourbon for France's King Louis XVI's help in the American Revolution. After Kentucky split off from Virginia in 1792, Bourbon County came with it. This agriculturally rich area eventually became known for its whiskey production. Corn was a major crop and the local whiskey's main ingredient. Even today, by law, bourbon must include at least 51% corn in its mash bill, the combination of grains used to make whiskey, among other stipulations.
Bourbon may be named for a street in New Orleans
According to legend, Bourbon County, Kentucky's whiskey made its way down to New Orleans where it became so popular that customers began asking for "Bourbon County whiskey" by name, which was eventually shortened to bourbon. Similarly, some believe Bourbon Street lent its name when visitors to New Orleans who tried the Kentucky whiskey on Bourbon Street began asking for "Bourbon Street whiskey."
