Courtesy of History.com
December 27 in 1909, President Taft decided how we would classify American whiskey this led us to our modern whiskey classifications. Take a look.
•Bourbon whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 51% corn (maize).
•Corn whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 80% corn.
•Malt whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted barley
•Rye whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 51% rye.
•Rye malt whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted rye.
•Wheat whiskey, which is made from mash that consists of at least 51% wheat.
In recognition of the anniversary of his historic act, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association Board of Directors unanimously voted to induct Taft into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place last night at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort, hosted by Gov. and Mrs. Steven L. Beshear.
Taft, born in 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio, was President from 1909-1913 and later the 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He died in 1930.
Shout Out to my friends at BOURBON OF THE DAY . Check out their article for a more in depth look at the story.