The word bourbon comes from the House of Bourbon, yes, that famous French dynasty that ruled many a country for centuries. Its connection to the American South for example nods to the region's long-standing connection with the mother country. Louisiana for one, after all, was once a French colony. Isn't it funny though that most countries that dislike the English do produce this finest drink in the world? Oh yes, I mean that drink that comes from heaven. There's even a Welsh whisky (wisgi Cymreig) and that has been distilled there since the Middle Ages. Of course, the production died out in the late nineteenth century. No doubt caused by those stupid Brexit-voters at the time yet again. In the 1990s, however, attempts were made to revive the practice of making whiskey, resulting in the establishment of Wales's first distillery in over one hundred years. Nowadays Penderyn Madeira is initially matured in bourbon casks, then finished in madeira casks. It showcases both dried and tropical fruit, vanilla cream, and rounded oak. Yes, that really sounds yummy. My own little country produces the Belgian Owl and that's a Belgian Single Malt Whisky, created from barley grown in Belgium and in fair trade. The Belgian Owl distillery was founded in 1997 in the town of Grâce Hollogne, near the city of Liège. Etienne Bouillon, founder and Master Distiller, brought two authentic Scottish stills to Belgium to keep close to the ancient whisky-making tradition. These stills were from the former legendary Caperdonich distillery in Speyside. Cheers!
Kind of. Outside of the sparkling wine made from grapes in the Champagne region of France, you can’t call sparking wine champagne.
Similarly,
Bourbon's legal definition varies somewhat from country to country, but many trade agreements require that the name "bourbon" be reserved for products made in the U.S.
The U.S. regulations for labeling and advertising bourbon apply only to products made for consumption within the U.S.; they do not apply to distilled spirits made for export. Canadian law requires products labeled bourbon to be made in the U.S. and also to conform to the requirements that apply within the U.S.
The European Union also requires bourbon to be made in the U.S. following the law of the country.
@Fukfacewillie There is a loophole in the rule about the use of the term "champagne" where if a California sparkling wine producer was incorrectly using it, they could continue to do so.
So you will see some California sparkling wine labeled "champagne."
Scotch, on the other hand, must be made in Scotland, from a 100% barley mash bill, and aged at least 4 years (so "no age statement" expressions are at least that old). Which is why similar offerings from elsewhere are "malt whiskey."
