As we wind our way into the cold months of the year in general, I find myself reaching increasingly towards a warming, darker cup of spirits instead of my usual clear summer sprightly drink; namely, for a whiskey and at that, probably a bourbon.

What Is Bourbon?

Bourbon is the only true American contribution to the wonderful world of booze. A distinct form of whiskey, it is barrel-aged and must be produced at least 51% from corn.

It has been distilled in this country, where it was created, since the 18th century and although it is associated with the South (particularly Kentucky) we can now easily find bourbons from all over the country.

Abridged History Of Bourbon

Common lore attributes the invention of bourbon to Elijah Craig (a Baptist minister!), whose name now graces a popular brand of bourbon, but this is entirely apocryphal.

What is important to know is that this was the product of many immigrants moving here from around the world and is a rich thread in the tapestry of this nation.

What Makes It Bourbon?

There are a great many legal requirements (see 27 CFR §5.22(b)(1)(i) for all of the gory details) for a bourbon but a few which we all see printed on labels which might change how you shop. Namely:

All bourbon must be bottled at 80 proof or more (anything less is not bourbon).
There is no minimum aging period, except for “straight” bourbon which is a minimum of two years.
Blended bourbons must list the age of the youngest bourbon in the mix, except if blended with grain alcohol (think Everclear), which is not counted.
“Bottled-in-bond” must be aged at least four years and is a separate sub-category dealt with below.

When shopping for bourbon, as I do all of the winter months, it’s useful to keep these distinctions and the different types of bourbon handy.

And now let's get into the best bourbons, all under $100.

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