As the American evidently wakes up on the peckish side, he also munches his way through a five-egg omelette, three chocolate chip pancakes, three slices of sugar-coated French toast, a bowl of boiled
corn mash and two cups of coffee.
Congress passed a law in 1964 that defined and still protects bourbon's integrity: It must contain no less than 51 percent
corn mash (although that mash can contain malted barley, rye and wheat, as well); must be distilled at no more than 160 proof; cannot be placed into a barrel higher than 125 proof; and must be aged for a minimum of two years in a charred, new white oak barrel.
While the poor-performing seal was a problem, the scenario was complicated by the physical product created at the facility: a sticky, yellow
corn mash containing 30% to 35% solids that typically required double seals.
