Bourbon Mystique

Bourbon — in Kentucky it’s a County and in New Orleans it’s a Street…and at vomFASS Madison, it has its own Corner.

Bourbon Fact #1: All Bourbons are whiskies but not all whiskey is bourbon.

Bourbon is truly an American classic. It is generally accepted that Bourbon was molded by a country that is every bit as complex as the spirit that calls it home. George Thorpe, a Virginia colonist, is credited with the distillation of the first batch of whiskey made from native corn grain in 1620. This is the ancestor of all corn-made moonshine and bourbon.

Although America’s distilling heritage started before the nation was founded, it took an act of Congress in 1964 to declare bourbon a unique product of the United States. In 2007, a resolution was passed by the U.S. Senate, declaring September as National Bourbon Heritage Month.  

Test Your Bourbon Knowledge

Mystique

The mystique of Bourbon runs as high as its flavor nuances run deep. The percentage of corn, the other grains, the fermentation process, and the length of aging all impact the overall character of a given Bourbon. 

The corn in Bourbon gives the whiskey a noticeable sweetness. Our collection of bourbons includes those with up to 82% corn in the mash bill (the mix of fermented grains that are distilled into whiskey). Grains such as barley, wheat, and rye make up the rest of the mash bill. Rye provides a spicy note to Bourbon, whereas wheat provides a softer, sweeter note. In addition to a high corn mash, our Bourbons include examples of both high wheat and high rye recipes.

There are also different methods of fermentation. A sweet mash will start with grains and specific fresh yeast blends. Sour Mashing is a process wherein a proportion of mash that has already been distilled is added into the next run of fresh, unfermented mash (like sour dough bread). Our Two Georges Tenness Sour Mash Bourbon is an excellent example of this process.

Timeless Allure

While there isn’t a minimum requirement for the length of time bourbon must be aged in  new, charred oak barrels (there are bourbons out there which have only been aged 3 months), any bourbon aged less than 4 years must have its age at bottling on the label. Straight bourbons must be aged a minimum of two years. We carry Bourbons aged 2 years to 7 years.

Open Invitation 

Bourbon provides a stalwart backdrop for many cocktails, from the local favorite Old Fashioned, to the Manhattan, to Whiskey Sours. Good bourbon is also enjoyed for its  complexities by itself or with the accompaniment of a single cube of ice. We invite you to bring a friend, visit our Bourbon Corner, sample, appreciate the history, craftsmanship, and meet a new favorite bottle to take home for your libations and enjoyment. 

Bourbon Old Fashioned

Two Georges High Corn Bourbon