When it comes to liquor, there are a lot of people who like cocktails, beer, and wine. In fact, 14% percent of Americans drink beer once a week; Twenty-three percent of respondents in a 2016 survey said they had a cocktail outside of their home in the last three months and 28.64% of respondents in 2018, aged 18 to 29 years stated they drink whiskey/scotch/bourbon.
The “Kids” are Branching Out
Finding a good local bar is becoming a trend as many Americans try new drinks and embrace old ones. Compared to other age groups, Millennials are most likely to try a new drink. According to Technomic’s research, while 8% of the general population tried a new drink on their most recent occasion, 18% of millennials aged 21-24, and 12% of millennials ages 25-34 did so. Whether you’re looking for a cocktail bar, bourbon bar or a way to liven up your nightlife, knowing a little about liquor, wines, and spirits can help you pick the best local bar with the best new and quality drinks.
What Makes It Bourbon
Whiskey and bourbon are popular, million-dollar industries. According to a 2017 market report by the Distilled Spirits Council, sales of American whiskey, a category that includes bourbon, increased 7.7% to $3.1 billion in 2016. Kentucky is the birthplace of Bourbon, crafting 95% of the world’s supply. Bourbon is an $8.5 billion signature industry in Kentucky, generating 17,500 jobs. Finding a whiskey bar in Kentucky isn’t hard but finding one that serves good whiskey may be.
All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. For a whiskey to be legally deemed a bourbon, it must meet these requirements:
- It must be Made in The United States
- It must be Made of No Less than 51% Corn Mash
- It must be Aged in Charred New Oak Barrels
- It can’t be More than 160 proof after distillation
- It can’t contain additives, flavorings or color
- It can be no Less than 80 proof in the bottle
- It should be less than 125 proof going into the barrell
Your local bar could be the next whiskey bar. If they carry authentic whiskey and bourbon in vast amounts, pay them a visit with this list in mind. You may have found the newest place to grab a beer, craft cocktails, or a national favorite: bourbon.
