"America's native spirit." That's more than a nickname–in 1964, Congress legally declared bourbon to be a distinctive product of the U.S., meaning it can't be produced anywhere else in the world. Debates about gatekeeping and nationalism aside, that fact alone makes for a pretty unique product. But bourbon is far, far more than just "American whiskey." And, of course, the best part is it tastes just as stellar regardless of your home turf.Your journey down the (digital) Bourbon Trail starts now: introducing the Library of Pursuits, Gear Patrol's new course series, created exclusively for email subscribers.The first course in this series, "What Is Bourbon?," parses apart the bourbon recipe fine print: you'll read about mash bill specifics, aging techniques and durations, acceptable proofs and what to look for as you compare bourbon to other whiskey varieties. All in the space of one succinct, easily digestible email. Later in the course, we'll get into how to taste bourbon the right way, the differences between craft distilleries and the big name brands, recommendations for starting or glowing up your personal collection, tips on how to avoid losing your money to "bourbon hype" … suffice it to say we're going to cover a lot of ground.Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or tend to shy away from brown liquor, there's plenty to learn: impress your friends, stock your bar strategically, sit smugly and sip the good stuff. Enrollment in the bourbon course starts now. Welcome aboard.Cheers to your newfound knowledge – this time, we'll pick up the tab.