The Four Roses Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey Distillery

1224 Bonds Mill Road
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky 40342

Written by Julie Greiner

The versatility of Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon can be verified by the world renowned Mint Julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. After each Kentucky Derby the winning owner drinks a toast to his horse from a sterling silver cup. The winner's name and year won is then engraved on the cup and added to the permanent collection of the Churchill downs Racetrack.

History of Kentucky Bourbon

The production of corn whiskey is the forerunner of bourbon, one of the world's great drinks - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to be exact. With the Molasses Act of 1733, rum becomes a luxury and too expensive for the colonists. Corn becomes the the material of choice to distill - corn from their own fields and cereal crops. In 1785 Kentucky territory is divided into counties and out of gratitude to France for its support during the War of Independence, one county is named Bourbon, after the French royal family. This area having a high concentration of distilleries - thus their corn corn whiskey becomes known as "Bourbon". The enhanced flavor by the use of charred oak barrels for distilling is discovered via a fire in the Reverend Elijah Craig's distillery. The Kentucky Territory became a State in 1792 and The Four Roses brand was born in 1888. Bourbon is officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1904 and designated as a product of

View of Entrance to Four Roses Distillery in Kentucky

Courtesy Four Roses Distillery

the United States and decreeing that the name be spelled with a capital B.

Distilling Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nature's way of creating Four Roses is by earth, air, fire and water. Bourbon is made from the same ingredients as bread - yeast, grain and water. The difference lies in the distilling. The quality of gain is critical for fine Bourbon. Select corn, rye and malted barley is mashed, cooked with water in huge atmospheric cookers and mixed with a special yeast to initiate fermentation. The liquid is heated to a vapour and then cooled in a condenser to a fiery, colorless liquid ready for aging in charred white oak barrels.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival

The five day festive event is dedicated to the legendary spirit of Kentucky.

Courtesy Four Roses Distillery

Distilleries from across the state come together to share their distinguished Bourbon in a variety of events for the public's enjoyment. Activities for all ages include demonstrations in the unique craft of making special oak barrels, horse-drawn trolley rides touring the backstreets of Bardstown, hot air balloon races, country music concerts, Blue Grass entertainment, a Spirit Garden cash bar, art shows, barrel rolling competition and food galore! The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is scheduled from September 18 - 22, 2002. For information on attending the Kentucky Bourbon Festival call: (800) 638-4877.