September is National Bourbon Heritage Month. We have collected a list of best bourbon from around the country. Before you tip your glass back, make yourself look really cool by first understanding the difference between bourbon vs whiskey.

What's the difference between bourbon and whiskey?

In order to be bourbon whiskey, it legally must consist of 51% corn, be aged in virgin barrels for at least 2 years, and hover between 80 and 101 proof. While reading up about bourbon, I found a few things I thought were most important to know.

Five Things You Should Know About Bourbon vs Whiskey

1. All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon.

2. Bourbon is all-American spirit. In 1964, under President Lyndon Johnson's administration, Congress declared bourbon America's Native Spirit.

3. The only thing that can be added to bourbon is water (and only to bring it down to proof). Other whiskey makers can add colors and flavors to their products.

4. Whiskey can age in re-used barrels. By law bourbon must use NEW charred American white oak barrels.

5. It can't say “bourbon” on the label if it's not distilled in the United States. And it can't be “Kentucky Bourbon” unless it's distilled in Kentucky.

Source: Jim Beam

Best Bourbon from Coast to Coast