Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage

by Michael R. Veach (contributor)

On May 4, 1964, Congress designated bourbon as a distinctive product of the United States, and it remains the only spirit produced in this country to enjoy such protection. Its history stretches back almost to the founding of the nation and includes many colorful characters, both well known and obscure, from the hatchet-wielding prohibitionist Carry Nation to George Garvin Brown, who in 1872 created Old Forester, the first bourbon to be sold only by the bottle. Although obscured by myth, the history of bourbon reflects the history of our nation. Historian Michael R. Veach reveals the true story of bourbon in Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey . Starting with the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s, he traces the history of this unique beverage through the Industrial Revolution, the Civil War, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and up to the present. Veach explores aspects of bourbon that have been ignored by others, including the technology behind its production, the effects of the Pure Food and Drug Act, and how Prohibition contributed to the Great Depression. The myths surrounding bourbon are legion, but Veach separates fact from legend. While the true origin of the spirit may never be known for certain, he proposes a compelling new theory. With the explosion of super-premium bourbons and craft distilleries and the establishment of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, interest in bourbon has never been higher. Veach shines a light on its pivotal place in our national heritage, presenting the most complete and wide-ranging history of bourbon available.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Food, Booze, Business, Food and Drink

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 13, 2013

Reviews

[HMS · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Interesting facts about bourbon making process and a few of the who’s who in Kentucky bourbon history.

[Tom M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this book was written in 2013, I would urge Michael Veach to do an encore. The last 5 to 10 years has seen the bourbon industry take off as if it will never slow down. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a must experience vacation destination for local and foreign visitors. The bourbon tastings seem to be catching up to the wine tasting, at least in the Kentucky communities where I live and hang out.
This is a short read with a basic explanation of the beginnings of bourbon whisky and the turbulent path that it took before becoming the power market that it is today.
I recommend this book to anyone who may be willing to try a glass of bourbon on the rocks and let your taste buds make their statement.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The early history up through WWII was very interesting but this book seemed to just wrap up suddenly as it approached the 80s.

No mention was made as to when the bonding period reduced to its current time and no mention of some of the key consolidations that occurred in the 80s either.

Still this was a nice read and encouraged for whiskey fans.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to Kentucky bourbon and its history, this should be the first book you read. Unfortunately I did not. It is a quick read and covers a lot of ground. But it doesn't go into detail to bore or loose your interest.

[Mary Jane Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the love of history, for the love of bourbon.

Michael Veach does a fantastic job of pulling from the past and pushing into the light the extensive history of American wiskey. Veach wrights in a way that both educates and entertains. Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey provides the reader with a plethora of valuable information without creating the feeling of being bludgeoned over the head with an endless series historical dates. In Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Veach addresses many widely held, but misguided and incorrect historical details concerning the history of American whiskey. His solid research is convincing and persuasive. With an easy wrighting style he convinces the reader to take a closer look at the subject of American spirits and in particular one of our greatest inventions Kentucky Stright Bourbon Whiskey. One can't help leave this historical journey without the feeling of how much fun it would be to continue to expand ones bourbon education with Mr. Veach over a pour or two of his favorite selection. Oh, on me of course. "Cheers" Michael.

[Joyce Duncan Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting enough read- especially for a Kentuckian who has opinions on Bourbon- but a difficult one. I wish Mr. Veach (whom I've heard speak) has a more easy dictation, instead of his almost-textbook-like way of writing.

Like many other reviewers, I was surprised at how abruptly he wrapped things up with the hope that craft distilleries will carry the Bourbon industry forward.

Overall, a quick read, a short book, but one that teaches us the ties between familiar names like Weller, Van Winkle, and Brown-Forman.

[Chris Germain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the history of the drink. Not too much detail to get bogged down in so its an easy read.

[Owen Neumayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Veach did a great deal of research to produce this informative piece of writing. I enjoyed learning new things about the history and growth of bourbon since our country’s founding. He kept the book interesting and was able to go from topic to topic without getting too monotonous. The most interesting part of this book was chapter 6, titled Prohibition and The Bourbon Industry. I never knew all the trials and tribulations that distilleries had to face in order to stay open in the years prior to and directly following Prohibition, but Veach offered me some valuable insight on those topics. I think he included a lot of information in such a short book, and I am glad I was able to read it so quickly. I could see myself referring to it sometime in the future. It’s a fast read and great for those who are wanting to get into the bourbon industry in Kentucky.

[Les McPhearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, short, yet through history of Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. Not Pappyland, but well done. Could have done with fewer detailed recipes in the first third of the book and a page+ of distilleries and their Louisville address, but 4 stars.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

good general overview of the history of the industry to trends now

[Nathan Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good as a primer or a series of short essays, which I should have anticipated given the length, but as a book it leaves a little to be desired in terms of depth of knowledge and detail.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but a bit dry

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but excellent history of a uniquely American product.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Easy read containing a ton of history. Very enjoyable read.

[Bill Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good, quick survey of the history of whiskey in America. Brief but informative.

[Patrick Bair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history and readable. Learn who these guys whose names are on the bottles really were!

[R.E. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Released earlier this year to much fanfare, Michael Veach's Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is exactly what bourbon drinkers who are also readers have been thirsting for for at least twenty years now: a narrative history of Kentucky's bourbon industry, produced by a regular publisher and written in modern times. As such, the book deserves all the attention it has received and more.

Veach is one of the very few individuals who could be described as a professional, independent bourbon historian: someone who gets paid to do bourbon history, but not at the behest of a liquor company (at least not at present). It shows, with almost a quarter of the book's page count going to the endnotes. That sort of attention to academic detail doesn't make the book an academic work, however. Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is instead an easy read, entertaining the reader as it paints a clear picture of the ups and downs of distilling in Kentucky, from Revolutionary times right into the early 21st Century.

If you read and drink bourbon, and in particular if you like to read while you drink bourbon, this is the book for you. My only complaint was with the Kindle version, where the conversion from print to e-book formatting proved crude and distracting when it came to the factoid boxes. The fault there lies with the University of Kentucky Press, however, and not Mr. Veach.

Richard Thomas
The Whiskey Reviewer

[Luke Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the author states in the preface, this book sets out to be "not a history of the industry in print" but instead "a good survey". It does just that and for that ought to be applauded. Published in 2013, this book is sadly a bit dated which speaks more to the popularity and growth of whiskey in this day and age to any fault of the author.

However, the book does read at times like a high school history book and comes in at 124 pages. Again, this is not an authoritative text. The pictures add little, if anything, to the text. I also wished the book took a little more time breaking down the differences in bourbon/American whiskey. I know the from the title the focus is definitely on Kentucky and their sweet, spicy (and may I add delicious?) bourbons. However, I would of liked to have seen a bit more of a breakdown between a bourbon and a straight bourbon discussed. Also discuss of just what a bourbon is (from the legal definition), is only glanced at.

A great book for those new to bourbon or for fans of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" (you'll recognize a few names) but again, this book is largely a brief overview.

[Rob Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit a fondness for Bourbon generated whilst I was a college student in Kentucky. While I drink it, and have my preferred brands, I really know little about it, nor its history. This short book answers many of my questions, and even some I knew not to ask. For anyone interested in whiskey, an excellent book. For anyone interested in US History, this is a must read, as it is very poorly covered in other histories.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine tour through the history of bourbon. It's like sitting on the porch with a wise, older relative and just reveling in their experience. Does a good job of dispelling common myths, but stumbles a bit when it steps outside bourbon. Well worth your time if the subject interests you, though my curiosity could have easily handled a book twice as long.

[Erin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good brief overview but I was left wanting more. Granted it is barely over 100 pages so i knew i wouldn't get that much. I liked the history. I'd like to read a more in-depth volume over the past 40-50 years now.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fairly good book for an overview of a large historical time frame, but it didn't offer much in the way of detail. I guess when the book is 124 pages and survey over 200 years though you can't expect much detail.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by good friend and colleague. Mike gives a good survey of the history of a vital industry of the state of Kentucky interspersed with interesting facts about the industry and people involved.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to know more about the recent bust and boom period for the spirit - the section post-Nineties feels added onto existing material, and is too short. But I learned a great deal, which was the point.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oddly paced. The beginning is very in depth but everything after WW2 seems to be just barely touched on. The last page of the book was surprisingly abrupt. Still, some good information here and an easy read for the bourbon enthusiast.

[Martin Doudoroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific little volume. Must-read for those interested in the subject.

[Erick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I was hoping for a book that explored how important bourbon is to America, (similar to how jazz is), but instead got a very cursory history of whiskey. Informative...but not great.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, well researched history of Kentucky whiskey industry. Nothing new here, but not bad.

[Pres Maxson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information for bourbon and history lovers alike. Although this book can feel tedious at times with a journalistic style, I recommend it!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taxes and marketing... It's what shaped the American market.