5 Things You never Knew About Bourbon

Bourbon, to Voodoo Bayou, is a beautiful thing. Whether you drink it Neat or in a cocktail, Bourbon has a rich history, past and present, that we love representing at Voodoo Bayou. As a Bourbon bar, we have to! Let us know if you knew any of these facts! 

1) The name “Bourbon” comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky, which was established in 1785. The area became known for its production of whiskey, and the name Bourbon eventually became synonymous with the style of whiskey produced there. To even be considered Bourbon, the whiskey must be distilled in the United States and aged in new, charred oak barrels for at least two years. It must also be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV).

2) The barrels used to age Bourbon can only be used once, as the charred oak imparts much of its flavor to the whiskey during the aging process. After being used to age Bourbon, the barrels are often sold or donated to other distilleries to be used for aging other spirits such as Scotch or rum.

3) The aging process for Bourbon is typically between 2 and 12 years, although some premium Bourbons may be aged for even longer. During this time, the whiskey can lose up to 60% of its volume due to evaporation, a phenomenon known as the “angel’s share.”

4) Bourbon has become increasingly popular in recent years, with sales of whiskey reaching record highs in many parts of the world. This has led to a resurgence of interest in small-batch and craft Bourbons, as well as a growing interest in Bourbon-based cocktails.

5) While most Bourbon is made using a sour mash process, which involves using some of the previous batch’s mash in the current batch, some distilleries use a “sweet mash” process, which does not reuse any of the previous mash. Sweet mash is believed to produce a lighter, cleaner flavor profile in the finished whiskey.

Stop in at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens and taste the mass selection of 150+ Bourbons we have!