Missouri Bourbon must be aged in Missouri white oak barrels. 2.5 million are made annually.

White oak trees grow for at least 80 years before reaching a marketable size.

Whiskey barrel staves are air dried for 30 to 40 days before finished in a kiln.

75% of craft distilleries nationwide have helped alleviate the national shortage of sanitizing solutions, including hand sanitizer.

Holladay Distillery, operated by McCormick Distilling in Weston is the oldest distillery in Missouri, at 164 years old. 

Missouri is home to 55 distilleries.

Sources: MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Missouri Craft Distillers Guild; American Craft Spirits Association; Missouri Department of Conservation

Illustrations by Thomas Sullivan.