Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America's Whiskey - Softcover

Mitenbuler, Reid

Softcover

ISBN 10: 014310814X ISBN 13: 9780143108146

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2016

Synopsis

THE STORY OF HOW BOURBON CAME TO BE AND WHY IT'S EXPERIENCING SUCH A REVIVAL

Crackling with attitude and love for the drink, BOURBON EMPIRE takes readers behind-the-scenes of the fascinating bourbon industry.

Bourbon, simply defined, is 'American whiskey' - that is, a grain alcohol distilled in America under 190 proof and bottled at no less than 90 proof. But this straightforward definition belies a history of great innovation, reinvention and consolidation across the American centuries.

Journalist and bourbon enthusiast Reid Mitenbuler captures the story of bourbon as it really is, not as the bourbon brands would want you to believe. Behind claims of ancient family heritages and adventurous frontiersmen is actual history, a saga of shrewd capitalism far more interesting than any of the legends. Mitenbuler exposes the ways savvy businessmen changed the drink to suit national preferences, from the days of the messy soup of spirits that passed for bourbon after the Civil War to today's nascent craft distilling movement that promises to revolutionise whiskey for the better.

BOURBON EMPIRE crackles with attitude and commentary about taste, choice, and delusion, all while celebrating a classic American drink and its makers.

About this title

About the Author

Reid Mitenbuler has written about whiskey and drinking culture for The Atlantic, Slate, Saveur, Whisky Advocate, and other publications. He lives with his wife in Washington, D.C.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 014310814X
• ISBN 13: 9780143108146
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336