National Bourbon Day

Learn more fun facts on the National Bourbon Day Video Page.

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Beverage Drinking Liquor
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every June 14
Holiday emoji:: 🥃

National Bourbon Day uncorks the rich history and distinct flavor of America’s native spirit every June 14. From its corn-rich origins to its charred oak aging, bourbon offers a unique taste of American heritage. Raise a glass, explore a distillery, or mix up your favorite bourbon cocktail.

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FAQs
Importance
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Expected National Bourbon Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows National Bourbon Day is a prime time for deals. Expect liquor stores like Total Wine & More and BevMo! to offer discounts on popular brands. Many bars and restaurants, including chains like Buffalo Wild Wings and independent craft cocktail establishments, will feature special bourbon flights, themed cocktails, and food pairings. Online retailers such as ReserveBar and Drizly often run promotions on bottles for home delivery. Keep an eye out for distillery-specific events and limited releases from brands like Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, and Wild Turkey. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 14 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Bourbon Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBourbonDay. Share photos of your favorite bourbon cocktails, tasting notes, or a visit to a distillery.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBourbonDay. Film a quick video reviewing a new bourbon, demonstrating a cocktail recipe, or sharing fun bourbon facts.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBourbonDay. Share your bourbon traditions, ask for recommendations, or post about local tasting events.

National Bourbon Day Hero

Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister and distiller, is often credited with being the first to age whiskey in charred oak barrels in the late 18th century. This crucial step in the bourbon-making process imparts the spirit's characteristic color and flavor. His innovative approach laid the foundation for what would become America's distinct bourbon tradition, earning him the moniker 'The Father of Bourbon'.

National Bourbon Day timeline

7000 B.C.

A-maize-ing

Early Native Americans domesticate a weedy Mexican grass called teosinte, which goes on to become the primary ingredient of bourbon.

1821

First Advertisement

The first-known use of the word ‘bourbon’ appears in Kentucky’s “Western Citizen” newspaper.

1835

A Sour Note

Dr. James Crow, also known as the ‘father of modern bourbon,’ begins experimenting at a distillery in Kentucky’s Woodford County.

1964

Red, White, and Bourbon

Congress declares bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States.”

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Bourbon Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Bourbon Day by offering special bourbon-themed menus or tasting events. Restaurants and bars can feature unique bourbon cocktails, offer flights of different brands, or host a ‘Bourbon & Bites’ pairing. Liquor stores can promote sales on popular bourbon labels and offer tasting samples (where legal). Even non-food businesses can get involved by hosting bourbon-themed happy hours for employees or clients, or by creating gift baskets featuring local bourbon products.

National Bourbon Day FAQs

When is National Bourbon Day?

In 2027, National Bourbon Day is observed on Monday, June 14. This mid-week placement offers a chance to unwind after work with a classic bourbon drink or discover a new favorite.

What makes a whiskey a bourbon?

The strict regulations for bourbon ensure its unique character and quality. Beyond the 51% corn requirement, the use of new, charred oak barrels is paramount, as this aging process contributes significantly to bourbon’s distinct color and flavor profile. No artificial colors or flavors can be added, ensuring its natural purity.

How much bourbon is produced annually?

The bourbon industry continues to see robust growth, with production figures consistently climbing. Global demand drives distilleries to expand, and the number of aging barrels in Kentucky is expected to exceed previous records, reflecting its enduring popularity worldwide.

Is bourbon only made in Kentucky?

While Kentucky’s limestone water and rich history make it the spiritual home of bourbon, the ‘native spirit of the United States’ designation means it’s not geographically exclusive. Many craft distilleries across the country are innovating and contributing to the diverse landscape of American bourbon production.

National Bourbon Day Activities

Mix up a bourbon-based cocktail
Sure, there are times when a cocktail made from hibiscus bitters and basil-strawberry shrub and Peychaud and ancho chili dust is exactly what you’re craving after a hard day at the office. For every other time, a classic — say, an Old Fashioned — will do the trick. Perhaps the oldest and best-known mixed drink of all, Old Fashioneds are dead-simple to make. Place one sugar cube (or one teaspoon superfine sugar) in your highball glass and add several dashes of Angostura bitters and a few drops water. Add two ounces of your favorite bourbon and several ice cubes; stir quickly to chill the drink. Feeling super-fancy? Garnish with a maraschino cherry or an orange slice.
Host a bourbon-tasting party
If you’re a purist, you might balk at even these scant additions, in which case a bourbon tasting is more your style. Invite a few friends over, asking each to bring a different bottle (or have everyone chip in beforehand, so you can control the selection). Our tip: add a drop or two of distilled water to each pour; this will help open up the aromas. Then engage your senses of smell and taste to detect flavors and characteristics in the bourbon. Is it woodsy or smoky, or more fruity and floral? Are there sweet or buttery notes? Nutty, earthy, and herbal are also common descriptors of bourbons. Remember, the goal here is to compare and contrast, just like in those high-school essays, with the intent of discovering what you enjoy most about this spirit.
Watch the masters at work from the comfort of your armchair
Did you know that there’s a full-length documentary dedicated solely to bourbon? It’s called Neat: The Bourbon Film and while there’s no release date yet, it looks to be well worth the wait, judging from the trailer and social media teasers. In the meantime, check out public television station KET’s hour-long “Kentucky Bourbon Tales,” featuring interviews with master distillers.

Why We Love National Bourbon Day

It goes with everything
Bourbon is fairly versatile liquor, so whether you’ve just picked up a bottle or you’re bellied up to the brass rail, you’ve got options. Drink it neat or on the rocks; go understated with a twist of lemon; substitute it for most whiskey-based drinks — think Manhattans and Sazeracs; mix it with ginger ale. And although we associate Juleps with the Kentucky Derby, there’s nothing wrong with a little muddled mint any day of the year.
It’s authentically American
The United States produces award-winning wines, exceptional craft beer, an increasingly high-quality array of ciders, some excellent vodkas — and an awful lot of overly sweet, outlandishly flavored, ridiculously named swill. But all of those (yep, even the bargain-brand root beer schnapps) can trace their origins back to other cultures or countries. Only bourbon is indigenous not just to America but, specifically, to the American South, with some 95% of it hailing from Kentucky.
Bourbon is a decidedly grown-up drink
We laugh at memes that celebrate the hardships of adulting, but there’s something to be said for drinking like a real man — or woman. Most drinkers start out with cheap beer, wine coolers, or vodka mixed with whatever’s in the fridge, and there’s nothing wrong with drinking what’s available when you’re younger. Yet there comes a time to put away the red Solo cups and develop a taste for more sophisticated spirits. Enter bourbon, which is often more accessible than, say, peaty single-malt Scotches or high-end tequilas.