Think of Kentucky and several images come to mind: sports, bluegrass, Churchill Downs, and yes, bourbon. There is a sobering reality in that bourbon has made the greatest impact among those industries that best symbolize the state. Kentucky bourbon is distinguished from others for its secret family recipes, limestone-filtered water, climate, and of course, Kentuckians' work ethics and pride. No matter if your preference is Maker's Mark or Jim Bean, or whether you use it for sipping, dipping, cooking, or curing, Bourbon: The Evolution of Kentucky Whisky contains a history of bourbon from its earliest days in the state to modern times, and the most comprehensive list of those companies known as world leaders in the bourbon industry.
Recommended by Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. This history takes the insider's knowledge from before the 2000s bourbon boom to tell the stories and lore (at that time) of the bourbon industry.
This book is best read with current books on bourbon to compare the stories and how they have changed as the industry has grown.
If you're a Bourbon aficionado then you need to pick up this book. The book highlights the interesting parts of liquor history in the US and then gets on the meat of Cecil's topic, namely the detailed history of whiskey in Kentucky. Cecil gives an in depth write up for each distillery past and present.