Today is the day in 1964 that a Congressional resolution declared bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States” recognizing its unique position as a distillate of the native corn.
Bourbons’ rise in popularity is indirectly attributed to the federal excise tax levied against whiskey in 1791 which resulted in a series of riots and attacks on tax agents, Pittsburgh being one of the scenes of unrest. The Whiskey Rebellion resulted in the first use of militia by the federal government against a state. The unhappy farmers were offered 60 acres of land in Kentucky as an incentive to move if they built a permanent structure and raised our ‘native corn’ in exchange. What to do with 60 acres of corn before the advent of high fructose corn syrup?
It’s like a celebration of our country every time we have a glass. Or at least that’s what I like to tell myself.
Manhattan
2 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
2 dashes bitters
Stir the liquid ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with cherries. God Bless America.
Slightly better but I still stand by my previous comments.