Which Kentucky county gave bourbon whiskey its name?

Bourbon whiskey takes its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky.

The county was created in 1785 and named for the French Bourbon dynasty, whose support for the American colonies during the Revolutionary War was widely commemorated. Early whiskey shipped from the region was often marked with the county’s name, helping “bourbon” become associated with the corn-based spirit.

Bourbon does not have to be made in Bourbon County today. Federal rules allow it to be produced anywhere in the United States, provided it meets requirements such as a mash bill containing at least 51% corn, maturation in new charred oak containers, and bottling at no less than 80 proof.

The name is therefore historical rather than a modern geographical designation. This differs from Scotch whisky, which has a legally defined national production area, and from protected regional spirits such as Cognac.