What is National Bourbon Heritage Month and When Did it Start?

Was Bourbon Designated America’s Native Spirit in 1964? No.

If you read through the text of the 1964 document that says “Bourbon Whiskey is a Distinctive Product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether foreign or domestic” you will not find the phrase America’s Native Spirits in there. You can read that 1964 resolution here. Nowhere in the text does it call bourbon America’s Native Spirit. That oft quoted phrase was actually introduced 43 years later in 2007 by Bunning when he brought forth S. RES. 294 to declare September as Bourbon Heritage Month. 

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110th CONGRESS – 1st Session

S. RES. 294

Designating September 2007 as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 2, 2007
Mr. Bunning submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

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RESOLUTION

Designating September 2007 as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”.

Whereas Congress declared bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit” in 1964, making it the only spirit distinctive to the United States;

Whereas the history of bourbon-making is interwoven with the history of the United States, from the first settlers of Kentucky in the 1700s, who began the bourbon-making process, to the 2,000 families and farmers distilling bourbon in Kentucky by the 1800s;

Whereas bourbon has been used as a form of currency;

Whereas generations have continued the heritage and tradition of the bourbon-making process, unchanged from the process used by their ancestors centuries before;

Whereas individual recipes for bourbon call for natural ingredients, utilizing the local Kentucky farming community and leading to continued economic development for the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

Whereas generations of people in the United States have traveled to Kentucky to experience the family heritage, tradition, and deep-rooted legacy that the Commonwealth contributes to the United States;

Whereas each year during September visitors from over 13 countries attend a Kentucky-inspired commemoration to celebrate the history of the Commonwealth, the distilleries, and bourbon;

Whereas people who enjoy bourbon should do so responsibly and in moderation; and

Whereas members of the beverage alcohol industry should continue efforts to promote responsible consumption and to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates September 2007 as “National Bourbon Heritage Month”;

(2) recognizes bourbon as “America’s Native Spirit” and reinforces its heritage and tradition and its place in the history of the United States; and

(3) recognizes the contributions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the culture of the United States.

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