Not much on Bourbon but I did try Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale for the first time a few weekends ago and really enjoyed it. Going to pick up some for the house this week.

Thanks. Since it is for a History class, a bit of historical context would make sense, imo. All other ideas have some historical signficance, but it would be interesting to read up on how whiskey was used for "medicinal" purposes in the early 1900s and how some were able to circumvent the system and survive during prohibition.

 

I'd have to agree with Bugatti and BleedBlue. I'm a pretty big fan of bourbon, and there are plenty of topics you could research and write a paper in those regards, but seeing as you have to write a history paper, I think you're best sticking with something like the prohibition topic.

 

ThrillVille, if you're not quite so interested in that specific topic, try:

• The historic change of tides from rye whiskey being the most preferred type of whiskey, to bourbon, which is the most consumed type of whiskey in this day and age. Rye was the preferred whiskey of most of the US settlers, including most of our founding fathers (George Washington was at one time the owner of the largest American whiskey distilling operation, located at his Mt. Vernon homestead. The distillery and gristmill has been re-built on the Mt. Vernon grounds, and I actually own a bottle of George Washington Rye Whiskey.)
  
• What brought the Scots-Irish immigrants to Kentucky? We wouldn't have bourbon, as we know it, had they not come to the Bluegrass region.
  
• Elijah Craig: An eighteenth century Baptist minister who is often accounted for "creating" bourbon as it's known today.
  

Go to Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, KY, go on the Burbon Trail - we did that last summer. Become a Maker's Mark Ambassador and have a barrell with your name on it, Mr. Mom55 has that and will go this summer to buy some from that barrell. The history of these places is remarkable and you can read all about it but it is different once you go there. You can also find out the reason whiskey/burbon can be sold in drug stores.

 

I am a Maker's Mark Ambassador also...I can't wait to buy some bourbon out of my barrell....

Thanks for all the topics slash info everyone,this has been a big help. I've got a lot to think about, but I'm starting to like the topics bourbon during the prohibition, or the roll in the scotch-Irish settlers. BTW, I think it's time I get out from under my rock and check out the Bourbon Trail.