Bourbon. Louisville, Kentucky is a city that’s famously known for a drink: bourbon. Sure, it’s technically Kentucky that invented Bourbon, but Louisville has embraced it, built upon it, and created a drinking scene honoring it. Louisville has even coined the term “Bourbonism” to describe tourism focused on bourbon. You may have heard that in order to be a bourbon, the whiskey has to be from Kentucky. That’s not quite true—bourbon can be made outside that state. But to be designated a “Kentucky bourbon,” the spirit has to be both distilled and aged in Kentucky. Bourbon is an American-made whiskey that must contain at least 51 percent corn in its mash and be aged in new, charred oak barrels. Whiskey can be made anywhere in the world, though there are additional differences depending on production and aging processes. Bourbon tends to have sweeter, more mellow characteristics, with vanilla, oak, caramel, grain, nutmeg, and cinnamon notes. Scotch has a sharp, distinct flavor that’s more of an acquired taste than bourbon. You’ll find that blended Scotch is smoother and maltier with a spicy finish.