Bourbon Empire: The Past and Future of America's Whiskey Kindle Edition

There's an amazing amount of interesting and contextualized history in this book as one is likely to find anywhere. This isn't just about whiskey; it's about the place whiskey, and bourbon in particular, holds in American history and the surprising leverage the industry had (and has) on the development and direction of the nation. Mitenbuler has an approachable style and is extremely knowledgeable on the subject without being high handed. If you like your history intertwined with interesting local facts and figures, strategic events, and general trivia woven together with a sly humor and insight, you'll enjoy this book.

I’m not a bourbon drinker, myself. Bourbon was my late grandfather’s drink, the one who fought WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps and then raised three children in a wholesome Midwestern town. I’m about as likely to order a Jim Beam on the rocks as I am to fly missions over the Ruhr Valley, or eat TV dinners while watching reruns of M*A*S*H. Which is to say, not very likely.So it was a pleasant surprise to enjoy this book so much. That’s because Bourbon Empire is not just a history of bourbon, it’s a history of America. With a keen eye for a good story, and prose so good you’ll find yourself reading it twice, Reid Mitenbuler goes beyond the rough and ready frontier folk whose names have been pasted on the bottles apocryphally to tell his readers the truth about America’s founding drunkards, plucky immigrants, ruthless capitalists, earnest reformers, Prohibition-era bootleggers, Madison Avenue bamboozlers, and modern-day chemists in lab coats.Unabashed five stars. All my friends are getting Bourbon Empire for Father’s Day. I only wish Grandpa could have read this book.

First, you definitely need a glass of bourbon in hand while you read this review, let alone the book.Spectacular history of bourbon in the US. Mr Mitenbuler not only analyzes most brands and their lineage, but also focuses on the movers and shakers that made American bourbon what it is today, for better or worse. For example, I didn't even know that Old Crow used to be a high end bourbon in the mid-1900s. It's simply amazing to read how many bourbons rose to prominence then just as suddenly fell out of favor, and which ones rose from the ashes in present day. As bourbon has now seen a resurgence in popularity, I'd highly recommend picking up, if not at least to have some cool facts to bring with you next time you go to the bar. Just don't be that guy who goes overboard and will only drink Pappy Van Winkle.

The author steadily declines. The books starts out engaging in a way that brings history to life. But somewhere about half way through, it becomes steadily becomes more and more jumbled and confusing, with the author dropping names and personal “insight” that takes from his writing. Sadly, I gave up about 3/4 through.I bought new, and would make a different choice if I had a do over. But if you get a good used copy, the first half is well worth it.

Mr. Mitenbuler's book deserves a space on the shelves of history lovers as well as bourbon lovers. It does not just repeat the popular history of American whiskey; rather it adds detail, context, and perspective to an important contributor in the development of the American economy. His Acknowledgements section, Bibliography, and parts of several chapters give credit to other authors well-known to the community of American whiskey enthusiasts because they rely on historical research rather than folklore (and advertising copy) to tell the story of Bourbon. I liked Mr. Mitenbuler's somewhat novel approach - he tells the story of bourbon by telling the story of the economic development of the U.S. with a focus on how bourbon, and other American whiskeys, contributed to that growth rather than focusing just on the growth of bourbon. It certainly deserves to be included with the half-dozen or so definitive works on bourbon which is why I bought the hard copy AND the Kindle version. It looks really nice with those other six or so books, each of which is special in its own way. And each of which has been read more than once. Way more.

Bourbon Empire will clearly be lauded by bourbon experts, but for the rest of us, I think the book offers something deeper - a perspective on American history that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Bourbon Empire is thought-provoking, well-researched, and unexpectedly, downright hilarious at times. The book reminds us that reality is often far more interesting than fiction, and it adeptly carries the reader on a journey from the backwoods of American history right up to the shelf at your present-day local liquor store. While the entire book was excellent, I particularly enjoyed the attention given to bourbon's place in colonial history through the civil war - where information is not quite so easy to find or piece together in an engaging fashion such as the author has done here. Overall, Bourbon Empire is a must-read because of the sheer knowledge it conveys as well as its value as a unique and entertaining angle on American history and culture.

Highly informative history of bourbon and its place in American culture. Fascinating and valuable insights into recent and current production and marketing aspects of the bourbon industry. Well-researched and revelatory. Whether you're new to bourbon or a long-standing devotee, you'll find this a worthwhile investment of time that will make you a more selective shopper and consumer.

a great story and fun to read, clearly charts the history and lore of bourbon, America's drink