History of Bourbon

By: Ken Albala, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Ken Albala

Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Is bourbon the quintessential American liquor? Bourbon is not just alcohol—the amber-colored drink is deeply ingrained in American culture and tangled in American history. From the early days of raw corn liquor to the myriad distilleries that have proliferated around the country today, bourbon is a symbol of the United States.

This course traces bourbon's entire history, from the 1700s, with Irish, Scottish, and French settlers setting up stills and making distilled spirits in the New World, through today's booming resurgence.

On their tour of bourbon's fascinating, turbulent, and uniquely American evolution, listeners will explore the mysterious origins of the whiskey’s name and meet the men and women who have been championed as its inventors and made it so popular - from Daniel Boone's cousin and Baptist minister Elijah Craig to Jacob Beam and Evan Williams.

In this 10-lecture journey through the story of an undeniably American libation, listeners will:

• Hear the stories behind the earliest bourbon whiskies right up to the current "bourbon bubble" 
• Learn how a contemplative spirit went from agricultural product to industrial commodity
• Explore how - and why - bourbon played such a large role in the years of the early republic
• Get the facts on when and why Congress passed whiskey-protection laws
• Discover the surprising importance of bourbon distilleries during World War II, when the spirit became war material
• Go inside the Golden Age of Bourbon - a remarkable proliferation of new brands and niche markets happening now
• Witness the growth of brands like Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Bulleit Bourbon, and Old Taylor
• Gain insights into why distilled spirits, like clothes and cars, project a message about who we are and the cultures to which we belong 

Join Dr. Ken Albala, a history professor who has written numerous books on food, as he lays out in expert detail the critical role bourbon has played throughout the cultural and political history of the nation. 

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Expected a lot more about bourbon

The title misled me. As an overall description of liquor it’s not bad. But it’s not a “history” of Bourbon.

Is this a lecture series, or an advertorial?

Amazon should tell their adbuy department to have whomever ghost wrote this to show some eff'ing restraint at the blatant product placement.

History of Bourbon? Not so much.

I figured when I ordered this book it would be strictly about the history of bourbon. I couldn't even make it through the second lecture as he kept going on and on about different types of alcohol and time periods not even remotely related to bourbon.

A History that needs to be told!

This was a great introduction to spirits (liquor) world. The past, present and future by someone who has spent a great amount of time researching. He even adds in a few drinking songs for good measure.

One of my favorite audible originals to date

This course on the history of bourbon was perfect. It was informative, entertaining, just the right length, and very fair and level headed. Bourbon is a topic where you can find all manner of pretentious people as well as the opposite. Albala gave a even and factual look at this industry which has become drunk (ha!) on its own lore. Especially as he worked his way up to the modern day climate, I appreciated perspective given by the historical information. Recommended.

Quick lesson on the history of Bourbon and current status

The History of Bourbon is very well written and a fun series of lectures. Well done!

The Great Courses book

HISTORY OF BOURBON by Professor Ken Albala is superb in addition to being educational. It is likely my favorite of the Audible freebies. The book is presented as a series of short lectures. Albala does a fine job of narrating his own work.

Excellent History of an American Beverage

Well researched, well written and read course on the hows and why’s of bourbon even if you aren’t a fan.

The History of Bourbon is an Hour into the Lecture

The focus on Bourbon really starts in chapter 4 , about an hour in. The audible is lecture style so it includes some tangents and omits some details - if it was a written book.

History in a glass

Picked this up and was pleasantly enjoyed the history of alcohol (in the general sense) before focusing in on the topic of bourbon. It’s a good way to introduce people of how the beverage is made and the difference between the “sour mesh” and “sweet mesh” and explains how blended whiskeys are made. It’s worth having a notebook and pen on hand to jot down notes while enjoying a nice bourbon or whiskey.