California Bourbon

When we talk about whiskey, a name that immediately comes to our mind is Bourbon. Bourbon is an American whiskey made in barrels, and corn is its main raw material. The origin of the name of this whiskey is unknown; however, it is said to have originated from the French Bourbon family.

Bourbon dates back to the eighteenth century. It is produced in almost every part of the United States, but South America, especially Kentucky, is famous for bourbon production. About two-thirds of the $1.6 billion in beverages exported from the United States in 2014 came from bourbon sales, which generated over $2.7 billion in wholesale market revenue for beverages. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States reports that Tennessee whiskey and bourbon brought in $3.6 billion for American distillers in 2018.

The United States Congress designated bourbon as a "distinctive product of the United States" in 1964. Any bourbon sold in the United States has to be made domestically using at least 51% maize and kept in a fresh, charred oak container.

Famous California Distilleries

Some Californian distilleries famous for their bourbon are:

1. Sonoma Distilling Company: Situated in California's wine country, Sonoma Distilling Company merges wine-making expertise with whiskey craftsmanship. Utilizing hand-selected grains and wine cask finishes, their small-batch whiskeys reflect the delicate terroir of Sonoma.
2. Redwood Empire: Inspired by Northern California's majestic redwoods, Redwood Empire's whiskeys pay homage to local resilience. Blending various whiskeys, their Lost Monarch blend creates a complex profile mirroring the region's natural beauty.
3. Lost Republic: Lost Republic's tribute to California's Gold Rush era echoes in their artisanal whiskies. Crafted with meticulous attention, their spirits represent the adventurous spirit of the state's pioneering history.
4. Larceny Bourbon: Larceny Bourbon upholds Kentucky's whiskey-making traditions, offering a rich and smooth bourbon reminiscent of John E. Fitzgerald's legacy, honoring the stolen sips from casks.
5. Nashville Barrel Company: Fusing whiskey with music, Nashville Barrel Company ages its spirits in small barrels, harmonizing the flavors to reflect the cultural vibrancy of Nashville's music industry.
6. Widow Jane: From Brooklyn, Widow Jane infuses urban craftsmanship into its whiskey. Using limestone mineral water from Rosendale Mines, their small-batch spirits capture the essence of Brooklyn's history and creativity.

Production Process

Bourbon production is a long and complicated process and includes the following steps:

1. Mash Bill Composition:
   
   1. Bourbon requires a mash bill that contains a minimum of 51% corn, with the rest being any cereal grain.
   2. It can also include seeds of pseudocereals like amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa.
   3. Wheated bourbon is produced when wheat replaces rye in the mash bill.
2. Mashing and Fermentation:
   
   1. Grains are ground and mixed with water to create a mash.
   2. Previous distillation mash is often added for consistency (sour mash).
   3. Yeast is introduced for fermentation.
3. Distillation:
   
   1. The fermented mash is distilled to around 65-80% alcohol using alembic or continuous stills.
   2. Modern methods involve initial distillation with a column still followed by re-distillation in a "doubler" or pot.
4. Ageing in Oak Barrels:
   
   1. Clear spirit, also known as "white dog," is aged in charred new oak containers, usually barrels of American white oak.
   2. Ageing gives spirit colour and flavour from caramelized sugar and vanillin in the wood.
   3. Straight bourbon must age at least two years.
5. Blending and Dilution:
   
   1. Blended bourbon must contain at least 51% straight bourbon.
   2. Filtering, dilution with water, and blending with other ingredients occur before bottling.
6. Bottling and Proofing:
   
   1. Bottling occurs at no less than 80 US proof (40% ABV).
   2. Common proofs include 86, 90, and 100; "bottled in bond" bourbon is 100 proof.
7. Bottling Operations and Labelling:
   
   1. Bottling involves filtering, blending from different barrels or distilleries, dilution, and packaging.
   2. Labelling regulations specify the requirements for bourbon production and labelling in the U.S.

Conclusion

Bourbon, a type of American whiskey, traces its roots to the 18th century. It's primarily made in Kentucky and the American South. The United States Congress designated bourbon as a "distinctive product of the United States" in 1964. Any bourbon sold in the United States has to be made domestically using at least 51% maize and kept in a fresh, charred oak container. California has many notable distilleries producing bourbon. Some famous Californian distilleries include Sonoma Distilling Company, Redwood Empire, Lost Republic, Larceny Bourbon, and Nashville Barrel Company.