Bourbon (whiskey), named for Bourbon County, Kentucky, is a corn whiskey aged in charred oak barrels. It was proclaimed the U.S. National Spirit by an act of Congress in 1964.

It turns out that whiskey is the most popular type of liquor in most U.S. states, closely followed by vodka. On the other hand, tequila and rum, which are considered staple liquors, are less popular in many states. This means that there is quite a significant gap between whiskey, vodka, and other liquors.

Two of the more popular American spirits during the first century and a half of colonization were peach brandy, made mainly in the Southern colonies, and applejack (a brandy distilled from cider), which probably originated in or around New Jersey.