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How Bourbon Rose From a Humble Grain to Embody American Exceptionalism

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How Bourbon Rose From a Humble Grain to Embody American Exceptionalism
Justin Sloan (L) and Justin Thompson of Lexington’s House of Bourbon own the state’s largest bourbon store. Salena Zito
Salena Zito
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Commentary

BOURBON COUNTY, Ky.—About 250 years ago, farmers looking for a way to make their surplus corn crop profitable decided to distill it. Today, that leftover grain has become a billion-dollar industry and a symbol of the Bluegrass State’s identity, economy, and culture.

Salena Zito
Salena Zito
Author
Salena Zito has held a long, successful career as a national political reporter. Since 1992, she has interviewed every U.S. president and vice president, as well as top leaders in Washington, including secretaries of state, speakers of the House and U.S. Central Command generals. Her passion, though, is interviewing thousands of people across the country. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through the lost art of shoe-leather journalism, having traveled along the back roads of 49 states.
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