"How bourbon came to be, and why it's experiencing such a revival today Unraveling the many myths and misconceptions surrounding America's most iconic spirit, Bourbon Empire traces a history that spans frontier rebellion, Gilded Age corruption, and the magic of Madison Avenue. Whiskey has profoundly influenced America's political, economic, and cultural destiny, just as those same factors have inspired the evolution and unique flavor of the whiskey...

"For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege--as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall...

"About a year ago, Tom Bulleit stood on a stage inside a tent the size of a big-top on the occasion of--in order of importance--his thirtieth wedding anniversary, the dedication of the new Bulleit Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and his seventy-fourth birthday. At one point, overcome by a sudden and surprising wave of emotion, he gripped the podium, looked into the blur of faces before him, and said, "I don't believe our lives are told in years......

This insider's guide to American distilleries, from the author of The Kings County Distillery Guide to Urban Moonshining, offers colorful lore, regional history, and tasting notes for bourbon, whiskey, and rye. -- from Amazon.