Despite its roots in American history, Bourbon’s name is entirely French. The House of Bourbon was extremely powerful in Europe and placed several French kings from the 1500s to the 1800s.
We should clarify, though, the Bourbon dynasty probably had little to do with bourbon’s creation. Instead, according to bourbon expert Michael Veach, it’s more likely that two industrious entrepreneurs stole the name for marketing purposes.
The Tarascon brothers traveled from Cognac, France, to Louisville, Kentucky, in the 1800s. There they may have formed the first bourbon distillery, though there are other competing claims.
Regardless, we know the Tarascon brothers begin to make and sell their whiskey down the river in New Orleans. We also know that they decided to age their whiskey in charred barrels to mimic French cognac’s flavor.
Legend has it that New Orleans residents loved the Tarascon brother’s product so much, that they began to ask specifically for the “special flavored whiskey sold on Bourbon Street.” Thus, bourbon was born. Source winning-homebrew.com
