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What is Bourbon Whiskey?
The main difference when we look at Bourbon compared to other Whiskies is geographic, but also ingredients and regulations. Bourbon is exclusively distilled in the United States of America, generally Kentucky. The mash used must be a 51% or higher made from corn. The other 49% is usually filled out with malted barley, rye or wheat grain. The bourbon is then distilled at 160 proof or less, put into the barrel at 125 proof or less and must not contain any additives. Aged in new charred oak barrel.
Tennessee Whiskey is filtered through sugar-maple after the spirt has been distilled. This filtering is known as The Lincoln County process and this is what distinguishes Tennessee Whiskey from Bourbon. Now the name Bourbon comes from whiskey that is from the area known as Old Bourbon located in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US if the Bottle in Bond Act is followed.
Bourbon has gotten a bad wrap in the past because back in the 1800’s bourbon was cheap, bitter and not very good. This is because distillers spent a lot of time adulterating, diluting and tampering with the whiskies so that they could gain higher profits with lower grade product. But, in 1897 the Bottle in Bond Act was put into place which requires the spirit to be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery. Bourbon must also be bottled and stored in bonded warehouses under US government supervision for not less than 4 years. This act has made the US government the guarantor of the whiskey’s authenticity and therefore bourbons. Now Bourbons are highly sought after and made in limited quantities boasting flavour profiles that deliver notes of vanilla, oak, caramel and spice.
Types of Whiskies distilled in America and the primary grain they are distilled from:
Rye whiskey made from mash that consists of at least 51% rye.
Rye malt whiskey made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted rye.
Malt whiskey made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted barley.
Wheat whisky made from mash that consists of at least 51% wheat.
Bourbon whiskey made from mash that consists of at least 51% corn (maize).
Corn whiskey made from mash that consists of at least 80% corn.
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