Kick-Off to National Bourbon Heritage Month

Bourbon lovers, National Bourbon Heritage Month is here. In only two weeks this first annual, national designation will reach it's peak on the 11-16th during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky. Bourbon has a long and rich history, marked with many (often disputed) important events that have left a mark on the American culture and September's newest designation recognizes the craft of the bourbon distillers that have kept the traditions alive.

To kick-off the month I thought I'd share a few classic (and some not-so-classic) bourbon cocktails, just to help everyone get into the spirit.

• Bourbon & Water
• John Collins
• Kentucky Screwdriver
• Mint Julep
• Old-fashioned
• Ward Eight
• Whiskey Sour

I've been doing a lot of research lately about bourbon and it's history and last week I picked up an old copy of The World Guide to Whisky that I hadn't seen in years, it's a perfect resource written by Michael Jackson for anything and everything about all of the world's whiskey. Sadly, I learned the whiskey world lost this important figure on Thursday, August 30th. Jackson was an expert on beer and whiskey and wrote guides and books about the different whiskies of the world including the guide I was looking at and the always sought after Michael's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, which was regularly updated as the industry, as well as his study of it, grew. Anything that he wrote is definitely recommended reading for the whiskey or beer enthusiast.

The Sweetest Thing Cocktail Photo Courtesy of: © Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey