This is National Bourbon Heritage Month. Or, as we call it here in Kentucky, September. In the spirit of bourbon celebration, I thought it would be fun to round up a list of some of the things that every bourbon-loving Kentuckian knows, but might not admit.

1. There's a reason there are so many cornfields in Central Kentucky. It has nothing to do with food for humans or livestock.

2. We take a lot of "bourbon history" with a grain of salt. Most labels are relatively new, and a lot of claims of novelty and history come from marketing departments.

3. Most of us secretly mix a bourbon and coke from time to time. It's easy and it goes down smoothly.

4. We like to stick with basic cocktails. A Manhattan, a whiskey sour, or an old-fashioned are about as adventurous as we get.

5. Most of us have an economy-priced favorite, too. Real bourbon lovers know there's a time and place for Old Grand-Dad or Early Times. We aren't above drinking what's in front of us.

6. Few things are as lovely as the aroma of a barrel that's being charred. It's like a gossamer mix of the cleanest vanilla and a delicately toasted homemade marshmallow wafting delicately through the air.

7. We know people who work at different spirits companies. We tend to change our orders when they're around. 

8. We're just as sick of all these bourbon-flavored food products as y'all are. A few of them are good; a lot aren't.

9. We're all about trying new flavors, but we aren't afraid to stick with what we know. Sometimes you choose a label because it reminds you of the holidays, or because it's what you always take to a tailgate.

10.Pappy is delicious. Nobody is claiming otherwise. But when y'all come in from out of state and want to wow us with your purchase, we secretly know that there are a lot of other tasty, more moderately-priced labels on the menu.

What are your bourbon-loving secrets?