Bourbon: A Symbol of American Heritage and Craftsmanship

Abstract

This thesis explores the significance of bourbon whiskey to American culture, focusing specifically on the way in which federal legislation shaped the spirit’s identity as a symbol of national heritage. Through a deep analysis of the societal context of eras throughout America’s extensive history, this thesis examines the impact that major legislation had on the formation of the American whiskey industry. This thesis analyzes the context and impact of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, the Eighteenth Amendment, the Volstead Act, the Twenty-first Amendment, the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, and the North American Free Trade Agreement. These legislative actions shaped the bourbon industry and established the spirit’s significance as a symbol of American heritage.