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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Wow, there is a hell of a lot more going on that I imagined... worth a read for anyone that is interested in American history or drinking whiskey.
Like a fine glass of bourbon, Bourbon Empire is full of many layers. It’s the story of a drink, and how this drink is built up from stories. This book is the story of bourbon: how it came to be, who made, how it played a role in our wars, and in our politics. Mitenbuler points out that bourbon is one of the truly distinctive American products, "like the rifle, the automobile, beef and the cigarette."
Bourbon Empire is about the stories that have been created about the drink. Much of what you read on a bourbon bottle is fiction, developed by marketers to create a sense of heritage. “The stories are just like the whiskey itself. They start as vapor, condense, and then sit unseen in a barrel for years. Finally they emerge, transformed into something entirely different and enchanting.”
And therefore, bourbon becomes another metaphor for this country. We create these stories about bourbon to tie back to a historic Jefferson ideal, which may have never been. Instead, bourbon today aligns more to the Hamiltonian ideal of consolidation and a strong business presence.
Enjoy this book with a glass of bourbon. I enjoyed it with a glass or two of Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch. Colonel Taylor is a great example of this Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian ideal, which is a common thread in the book and in the history of bourbon. The story on the bottle portrays Taylor as a fine distiller, which he was. But the bottle doesn’t mention that he was primarily a consolidator of distilleries and a strong advocate for government transparency in the bourbon industry, fighting for consistency in the bottling process. Like Taylor, the history of bourbon has many layers.
Bourbon Empire is about the stories that have been created about the drink. Much of what you read on a bourbon bottle is fiction, developed by marketers to create a sense of heritage. “The stories are just like the whiskey itself. They start as vapor, condense, and then sit unseen in a barrel for years. Finally they emerge, transformed into something entirely different and enchanting.”
And therefore, bourbon becomes another metaphor for this country. We create these stories about bourbon to tie back to a historic Jefferson ideal, which may have never been. Instead, bourbon today aligns more to the Hamiltonian ideal of consolidation and a strong business presence.
Enjoy this book with a glass of bourbon. I enjoyed it with a glass or two of Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch. Colonel Taylor is a great example of this Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian ideal, which is a common thread in the book and in the history of bourbon. The story on the bottle portrays Taylor as a fine distiller, which he was. But the bottle doesn’t mention that he was primarily a consolidator of distilleries and a strong advocate for government transparency in the bourbon industry, fighting for consistency in the bottling process. Like Taylor, the history of bourbon has many layers.
A little bit dry, like a lot of non-fiction, but this book is absolutely flooded with well-researched stories and analysis of the past, present, and future of bourbon and whiskey in America
A great deep dive into bourbon and the stories—some true, some invented—that its prime movers have told about it.
The book delivers exactly what the subtitle promises: a look into bourbon’s history (dating back to the Revolutionary Era) and its future (small craft distilleries and their variations on traditional bourbon).
Clear, accessible writing, although it could’ve used some editing for repetition & overexplained metaphors. Photos could’ve been a little better quality too.
The book delivers exactly what the subtitle promises: a look into bourbon’s history (dating back to the Revolutionary Era) and its future (small craft distilleries and their variations on traditional bourbon).
Clear, accessible writing, although it could’ve used some editing for repetition & overexplained metaphors. Photos could’ve been a little better quality too.
It’s America’s whisky and Reid Mitenbuler traces the history of bourbon back to the first president. Turns out the spirit is closely tied to the country that gave birth to it. Backwoods individualism to corporate shenanigans, outright criminal activities to being an essential staple of war. For a spirit that cultivates it’s craft heritage it’s become a mass produced product created by only a handful of distillers. It enjoys a rip-roaring, mythic history that makes for an entertaining read.
Great book about the history of bourbon! Stemming from a book about Pappy Van Winkle where Bourbon Empire was quoted a lot - I knew I needed to read it. Does not disappoint and a must read for all bourbon and whiskey drinkers.
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Who knew the history of bourbon was so closely tied to the founding of the United States?
Bourbon Empire is a fascinating trip through our nation's founding, from the perspective of those who pioneered what is easily my favorite spirit. Back in the early days of our country, bourbon was used as a form of currency on the frontier. It was also central to the Whiskey Rebellion (obviously), which is one of the most memorable pain points between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.
From there, it continued to grow, becoming a truly American spirit. The drink can be whatever you want it to be, from rough and tumble to refined and smooth. While marketing departments are largely responsible for the variety of images, bourbon has actually been representative of all that and more in the past. Vast criminal empires built their fortunes on bourbon. Small distillers hit it big and grew to become the giant companies they are today.
Bourbon Empire was a fascinating story of a topic on which I knew very little. If you enjoy US history and bourbon, I'd absolutely recommend this book.
Bourbon Empire is a fascinating trip through our nation's founding, from the perspective of those who pioneered what is easily my favorite spirit. Back in the early days of our country, bourbon was used as a form of currency on the frontier. It was also central to the Whiskey Rebellion (obviously), which is one of the most memorable pain points between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.
From there, it continued to grow, becoming a truly American spirit. The drink can be whatever you want it to be, from rough and tumble to refined and smooth. While marketing departments are largely responsible for the variety of images, bourbon has actually been representative of all that and more in the past. Vast criminal empires built their fortunes on bourbon. Small distillers hit it big and grew to become the giant companies they are today.
Bourbon Empire was a fascinating story of a topic on which I knew very little. If you enjoy US history and bourbon, I'd absolutely recommend this book.
Very well written book. The prose was clear and comfortable. I have recently perused several books about Whiskey and this is clearly the best. Granted, it is a narrow topic, but if you are looking for a good book about Bourbon, this is the book to read. It strikes me as an honest book written by an author who enjoys all aspects of whiskey but also is clear eyed about the industry's defects and distortions. He tells a good story about the history of bourbon from its beginning in the late 18th century until about 2015. I particularly enjoyed his insights regarding the economics of bourbon and external and internal pressures that resulted in booms and crashes along with inventive marketing changes. However, he also is knowledge about the production of bourbon and how it as changed as well as the taste differences among the various producers currently and over time. Recommended.
Well written, entertaining, and educational. Debunks a lot of myths. The author is clearly a whiskey nerd with good taste and an experienced palate.