A mericans have been distilling bourbon since the late 1700s. Contrary to popular belief, bourbon can be made anywhere in the country, but its spiritual home is the South, particularly Kentucky. It was first made by immigrant farmers-primarily from Britain and Ireland-who were moving westward. Today it's a $4 billion industry. What exactly makes a whiskey bourbon? Export standards differ, but bourbon made for consumption in the United States must be distilled from a fermented mixture of grains containing at least 51 percent corn (rye, wheat and barley make up the difference). The spirit is aged in charred oak barrels and distilled to a maximum of 160 proof. If you want to call it straight bourbon, the whiskey must be aged for at least two years with no added colors or flavoring. Virginia ABC has more than 175 different bourbons in stock, including a number of deluxe varieties. What follows is a little taste: Jefferson's Reserve is a smallbatch whiskey made from four separate bourbons of four different ages. The taste is rich, complex and sophisticated yet also very well balanced. At Jefferson's they really know their stuff. Founded by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet, a well- SPIRITED VIRGINIA | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2017 13