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It's always been labeled as Tennessee Sourmash Whiskey.  Not bourbon.  They take pride in that.  That's kind of the point.
It's certainly made like bourbon and tastes like some bourbons.
But it's not.

I think that is what I said.  It COULD be labeled bourbon legally, but isn't.

this is the "stirring the Pot" thread

and sure as shootin, don't call it chili if it's got beans in it

I have never been to Vermont.  Or Canada.  I've never been north of our border.  I've seen it from a plane.

Just never made it, meant to.

Vermont is very beautiful. So are NH and ME.


I want to party in Montreal for a weekend or two. It would be cool to go by boat, but that would be really expensive and too time-consuming for right now.

There are some differences between Cognac and Armangnac aside from region of original.

Bourbon under US law can only be produced in the US.  Maybe somewhere someone else makes something called bourbon, I don't know.  The basic requirements for bourbon are made in the US, 2 years of aging (at least), and 50+ corn (up to 79% I think) in the mash.  It has an interesting history, including the fact that none is currently made in Bourbon County, KY (though I think someone was building a distillery).

Champagne is the same way in effect, it can only be made in Champagne, but if you look at a bottle of Korbel, you will see on the label "California Champagne".  They were grandfathered in basically.  There are a couple others than can label that way in CA also.

French wines of course are labeled with place names, while US wines are labeled as varietals.  I see more and more French wine labels including the varietal, but you're supposed to know.  I actually know some oenophiles in France who pay no attention to the varietal in a wine.  They know what Bordeaux is, but can't name the five varietals that can be used in it (if it's red) and don't care.

Most know that Burgundy is pinot noir or chardonnay, but they don't know the minors that can be used, and they have no idea what grapes can be used in Champagne.

We were in Costco today and they had some ridiculous prices in Chianti Classico Riserva.  They also had a Burgundy for $10.  I don't know how they get prices down that far other than scale of course.  I'll try the Burgundy tonight.

They have crazy insane wine prices around here.

Yeah, agree that most of the French don't know, and don't care, which varietals are in their wine.  They grew up with the system so it's easier for them to navigate. The regions and classifications tell them what they need to know, because they've always known it.
As an American, I appreciate knowing, although I too don't really care.  In general I prefer Left Bank Bordeaux because the blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are plenty of Right Bank Merlot/Cab Franc-based Bordeaux I enjoy as well.

I lean to the Left Bank also, but it's only a lean.  As you note, there are plenty of merlot heavy Bordeauxs that are excellent, some unaffordable in effect (for me).  I'm usually on the lookout for wines from a less well known region that are really good without the price.  Languedoc has been pretty good for that.  Spain has been good also.

Costco had Kirkland brand Gigondas for $15 each and I had to add two of those.  I'll post my thoughts when I open one.