Bourbon is America’s native spirit. In 1964, the US Congress declared Bourbon a 'distinctive product of the United States.' To be legally called Bourbon, the whiskey must meet strict criteria: it must be produced in the US, made from at least $51\%$ corn, and aged in new, charred oak containers. Contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be made in Kentucky, though $95\%$ of the world's supply is produced there. The name likely comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky, or Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The 'charring' of the barrels is a chemical process where the heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the wood (hemicellulose), which provides the whiskey with its signature vanilla, caramel, and smokey notes.