Whisky USA
Bourbon whiskey (also simply bourbon) is a barrel-aged American whiskey made primarily from corn (maize).
The name derives from the French House of Bourbon, although the precise source of inspiration is uncertain. Possible origins include Bourbon County, Kentucky, and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, both of which were named after the House of Bourbon. The term bourbon may not have been used until the 1850s, and the association with Bourbon County was not evident until the 1870s.
Beyond its origins, bourbon has developed a strong cultural identity. Although it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is closely associated with the Southern United States, especially Kentucky, because of a long history of advertising it as a product with rural Southern roots.
Since the 1990s, a market shift has also positioned bourbon as a symbol of urbanization and sophistication. Its consumer base has increasingly included middle- to upper-class buyers, including business and community leaders.