The Why of Words
#48: Bourbon — A Celtic God, French Kings, and a Kentucky County
Jun 10, 2026
Season 1
Episode 48
Bourbon whiskey isn't named after itself—it's named after Bourbon County, Kentucky, which was named after a French royal family. Most Americans assume it comes from Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but the true origin story involves a surprising connection to European royalty that few people know about.
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