Bourbon’s Origins: Separating Myth from History

Bourbon, hailed as America’s native spirit, carries a rich blend of legend, mystery, and heritage. Its origins have been claimed by historical figures, towns, and entire counties, each with its colorful narrative. But separating the facts from the fables is no small task.

Was it Elijah Craig with his charred barrels? Or Evan Williams with his early Louisville distillery? Did Kentucky’s pioneers stumble into bourbon while trying to preserve corn? Bourbon’s origin is a tale woven from truth and tradition—let’s explore the fine line where myth meets memory.

Much Ado About the First Kentucky Distiller

When discussing Kentucky's role in the development of bourbon, it’s tempting to search for a singular founding figure—someone who distilled the first batch, marked the first barrel, or coined the term "bourbon." But history rarely offers such clear origin stories.

The earliest use of corn in distillation in America dates back to 1620, and by then, colonists in Virginia were already producing spirits from available crops, including wild grapes and corn.

Settlers who moved into Kentucky in the mid-to-late 18th century brought their distilling knowledge with them. Whether they came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, or the Carolinas, these pioneers were accustomed to making whiskey from grains, fruits, or whatever they could grow. Thanks to Kentucky’s abundance of corn, it became a key mash ingredient.

Many early settlers in Kentucky likely produced corn whiskey long before formal records existed. Don’t be fooled—corn whiskey and bourbon are not the same. The transformation from clear, unaged corn liquor to the rich, oak-aged spirit we now call bourbon was incremental and collective, rather than the invention of a single person.

Evan Williams: Kentucky’s “First” Distiller?

Evan Williams is often touted as Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, with the year 1783 proudly displayed on the labels of Evan Williams bourbon. This claim originates from an 1892 assertion by historian Reuben Durrett, who credited Williams with starting a distillery in Louisville in that year.

A deeper examination exposes flaws in the timeline. Records indicate that Evan Williams may not have even arrived in America until 1784—after the supposed establishment of his distillery. Though he was certainly active in early Louisville civic life—signing the Articles of Incorporation in 1780 and later serving as the city's harbor master—his status as the "first" distiller is historically doubtful.

Still, Williams’ name endures, not because he was the first, but because he was among the early influential figures in Kentucky’s whiskey-making scene. Stories like his supposed habit of bringing whiskey to city meetings add to the lore surrounding him. But even his distillery was once cited for failing to pay taxes and for being a public nuisance—hardly the image of a “law-abiding” whiskey patriarch.

The Elijah Craig Legend: A Marketing Marvel

If there’s one name most closely tied to bourbon mythology, it’s Elijah Craig. Craig, both a Baptist minister and entrepreneur, founded Kentucky’s first classical school and opened Georgetown’s first paper and textile mills. Like many well-to-do landowners of the time, he also ran a distillery. But did Elijah Craig invent bourbon?

The short answer: No. Craig never claimed to invent bourbon, nor is there contemporary evidence tying him to the development of barrel-aging or charring practices. The first published connection between Craig and bourbon came in 1882, decades after his death, in William Perrin’s History of Kentucky. The story was revived again in 1934, and popularized during Kentucky’s Bicentennial celebration in 1989, when a fictional play dramatized Craig "accidentally" charring barrels on April 30, 1789—the same day George Washington was inaugurated.

Coincidence? Maybe. Clever marketing? Absolutely. The tale of Elijah Craig has become less about facts and more about folklore—a convenient creation that helped bourbon claim its identity as a uniquely American spirit, especially around the time of the 1964 U.S. Congressional resolution that recognized bourbon as a distinctive product of the United States.

Myth-Making on the Bourbon Trail: The Tour Guide Tale

One of the most enduring narratives shared by bourbon tour guides is a story that sounds too good to be true—and probably is. It goes something like this:

“Pioneers followed buffalo traces into Kentucky, settled near rivers, and discovered that corn grew well. They distilled their surplus corn into whiskey, stored it in used barrels—often charred—and sent it on a long journey by flatboat down to New Orleans. By the time it arrived, it had aged into a smoother spirit, and because the barrels were stamped ‘Bourbon County,’ the name stuck.”

It’s a story full of rustic charm and symbolic Americana. And while it contains elements of truth, the timeline doesn’t quite add up.

The Barrel: From Roman Innovation to American Tradition

The use of barrels for aging spirits dates back centuries. The Romans discovered the practicality of oak barrels for wine, and by the 15th century, French cognac producers had refined the practice—eventually incorporating barrel charring to enhance flavor. These practices predate bourbon by hundreds of years.

In early 19th-century America, oak barrels were used to transport whiskey, but charring them was not standard practice. The first known written reference to charred barrels being used for American whiskey came in 1826, when a grocer in Lexington requested such barrels from distiller John Corlis. His note implies that the practice was not yet widespread, even then.

Moreover, the notion that early distillers reused barrels from nails, pickles, or fish—necessitating charring—is historically problematic. Those containers (slack barrels or dry-tight barrels) weren't liquid-proof and wouldn’t have been used for whiskey in the first place.

The Journey: Myths of Whiskey on the Mississippi

Flatboats certainly carried goods—including whiskey—down the Kentucky, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers to markets like New Orleans. But the idea that this was a common or easy practice in the late 18th century overlooks some critical political realities.

Between 1762 and 1800, Spain controlled the Mississippi River and restricted American access. Spain’s 1784 closure of the river to American traffic sparked outrage among Kentuckians. Some even considered secession. Among them was General James Wilkinson—founder of Frankfort—who secretly negotiated trade rights with Spain, offering allegiance in return for access.

So yes, whiskey made its way to New Orleans, but not in the heroic, pioneering quantities that modern myths suggest. It wasn’t until the rise of steamboats in the 1810s that Kentucky whiskey began reaching markets more efficiently—and even then, whiskey remained a cheaper, less preferred spirit compared to rum or brandy.

The Name: How Bourbon Got Its Name (Maybe)

The most enduring mystery of all may be the name itself. Was it named after Bourbon County? Bourbon Street in New Orleans? Or after the French royal family

The earliest known use of the term “bourbon” whiskey appeared in a 1821 Kentucky newspaper and reemerged in Mississippi during 1826. By then, steamboat traffic was increasing, and whiskey from Bourbon County might have gained some regional recognition.

Many tour guides cite barrel markings like “Old Bourbon” or “Bourbon County” as the origin of the name. While plausible, this explanation emerged later than the myth suggests. In truth, whiskey was not identified by origin, mash bill, or aging style during this period. It was simply cheap and functional.

Only later, when bourbon producers began aging whiskey intentionally and marketing it more strategically, did the name start to carry meaning.

Conclusion: A Spirit Shaped by People, Place, and Myth

The origins of bourbon don’t lie in a single moment, person, or invention. Bourbon didn’t emerge all at once—it was shaped gradually by frontier needs, European influence, American ingenuity, and a touch of chance.

While stories of Elijah Craig and Evan Williams offer convenient narratives, the truth is more complex—and arguably more interesting. Bourbon’s history is a mosaic of influences: from Roman barrels to French cognac-making, from Spanish embargoes to Kentucky ingenuity.

So, the next time you raise a glass, savor the mystery as much as the flavor. Bourbon’s story may not be simple, but it is quintessentially American—full of contradictions, myths, and the slow, smoky march of time.

Interested in uncovering more of bourbon's real story? Join us on our next tour—where history meets the barrel, and the truth is even smoother than the whiskey.