Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, An American Heritage by Michael Veach. Notes, documents, photographs, bibliography, and index. 140 pages
Michael Veach recognized the need to create a history of bourbon and the industry it spawned. Bourbon is a product of the United States and its history should be documented. Veach was an archivist at United Distllers and is an Associate Curator of Special Collections at the Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky. These positions provided access to historical documents specific to bourbon and the bourbon industry. He is a member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame and has been lecturing and teaching people about bourbon for quite some time. His passion for bourbon, history, and contacts within the bourbon industry qualified him to write this book.
The book provides an interesting chronological history of bourbon from early distillation of whiskey that evolved into bourbon and the impressive industry that resulted. We are taken through all of the critical periods in US history up to the present day. Veach provides interesting information and commentary about the impact of whiskey and bourbon on wars, taxation, prohibition, and the Great Depression. He discusses how the industry changed during those periods. In addition, the author provides documentation that dispel a few myths concerning bourbon. There is a detailed bibliography which can aid those in search of more details concerning various topics covered in the book.
The book is well organized, clearly written, informative, and concise. It holds the reader's attention as he is taken through significant historical events in US history which were impacted by the bourbon industry. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in bourbon and our American heritage.