On May 4, 1964, it became official, bourbon was a distinctive product of the United States. Prior to this, we saw bourbon being made legally in Mexico and Canada.
BOURBON WHISKEY DESIGNATED AS DISTINCTIVE
[S. Con. Res. 19] PRODUCT OF U.S.
May 4, 1964
Whereas it has been the commercial policy of the United States to
recognize marks of origin applicable to alcoholic beverages imported
into the United States; and
Whereas such commercial policy has been implemented by the promulgation
of appropriate regulations which, among other things,
establish standards of identity for such imported alcoholic beverages;
and
Whereas among the standards of identity which have been established
are those for “Scotch whisky” as a distinctive product of Scotland,
manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of Great
Britain regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption
in Great Britain and for “Canadian whisky” as a distinctive
product of Canada manufactured in Canada in compliance with
the laws of the Dominion of Canada regulating the manufacture of
whisky for consumption in Canada and for “cognac” as ^rape brandy
distilled in the Cognac region of France, which is entitled to be so
designated by the laws and regulations of the French Government;
and
Whereas “Bourbon whiskey” is a distinctive j)roduct of the United
States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether
foreign or domestic; and
Whereas to be entitled to the designation “Bourbon whiskey” the product
must conform to the highest standards and must be manufactured
in accordance w^ith the laws and regulations of the United States
which prescribe a standard of identity for “Bourbon whiskey”; and
Whereas Bourbon whiskey has achieved recognition and acceptance
throughout the world as a distinctive product of the United States:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved hy the Senate {the House of Representatives concurring)^
That it is the sense of Congress that the recognition of Bourbon whiskey
as a distinctive product of the United States be brought to the attention
of the appropriate agencies of the United States Government
toward the end that such agencies will take appropriate action to
prohibit the importation into the United States of whisky designated
as “Bourbon whiskey”.
Agreed to May 4, 1964.
Here’s the original document that got it all started on January 24, 1963.
88TH CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 57
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 24, 1963
Mr. Watts submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas it has been the commercial policy of the United States to recognize marks of origin applicable to alcoholic beverages imported into the United States; and
Whereas such commercial policy has been implemented by the promulgation of appropriate regulations which, among other things, establish standards of identity for such imported alcoholic beverages; and
Whereas among the standards of identity which have been established are those for “Scotch whisky” as a distinctive product of Scotland, manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of Great Britain regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption in Great Britain and for “Canadian whisky” as a distinctive product of Canada, manufactured in Canada in compliance with the laws of the Dominion of Canada regulating the manufacture of whisky for consumption in Canada and for “cognac” as grape brandy distilled in the Cognac region of France, which is entitled to be so designated by the laws and regulations of the French Government; and
Whereas “bourbon whiskey” is a distinctive product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether imported or domestic;
Whereas to be entitled to the designation “bourbon whiskey” the product must conform to the highest standards and must be manufactured in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States which prescribe a standard of identity for “bourbon whiskey” ; and
Whereas bourbon whiskey has achieved recognition and acceptance throughout the world as a distinctive product of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the recog-
3 nition of bourbon whiskey as a distinctive product of the
4 United States be brought to the attention of the appropriate
5 agencies of the United States Government toward the end
6 that such agencies will take appropriate action to prohibit
7 the importation into the United States of whisky designated
8 as “bourbon whiskey”, unless it is clearly labeled to show
9 the country of origin as an integral part of the name.
