Bourbon Is a Type of Whiskey — But It’s Not Just Any Whiskey
Bourbon has its own rules and regulations that make it different from other spirits, such as rye whiskey or single grain scotch. In this post, we'll tell you all about the history and definition of bourbon and why it has so many unique characteristics when compared to the other American made distilled spirits.
Unlike Whiskey, Bourbon Is Named After a Specific Geographic Place
Unlike whiskey, bourbon is named after a specific geographic place. Bourbon County is in central Kentucky, and it's from this county that bourbon gets its name. The common misconception is that only whiskey made in Bourbon distilleries made in Kentucky can be called bourbon. Though the origin of bourbon is from Bourbon Country, the product can be made anywhere in the United States as long as it follows the legal requirements. This is a key difference between bourbon and whiskey. Based on the bourbon production process, grain mixture, bourbon must be made by a bourbon distiller. Bourbon must also have an age statement on its label; it cannot simply say "straight whiskey." That said, many bourbons do not have an age statement because they have been aged less than four years (for example, Maker's Mark). The exception here is when they say "young" or "new".
Bourbon must use at least 51 percent corn as its main grain ingredient (corn is often used alongside rye or a combination of wheat). It's also important to note that no other grains are permitted when making this type of spirit. For example, barley would disqualify any whiskey from being classified as such, even if it was distilled in Scotland.
Bourbon Can’t Have Any Added Flavors or Colors
Bourbon Can’t Have Any Added Flavors or Colors
Bourbon can't have any additional flavor notes. It must be aged in charred oak barrels, each of which has been toasted on the inside (a process called charring) and then filled with whiskey. The American bourbon barrels are then stored for at least two years, during which they impart their unique flavor profiles to each batch of bourbon.
The United States has strict regulations about bourbon aging to ensure the authenticity of the alcoholic beverage.
- American whiskey bourbon must be distilled at not over 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). This means that most bourbons you drink will come out with an alcohol content of somewhere between 80% ABV and 125% ABV, but no higher!
- After distilling, this high proof spirit is diluted down to below 100 proof before being put into its barrel for the aging process; this dilution process is often referred to as "barreling."
Duration for Bourbon Making Process
Straight Bourbon whiskey must be aged for at least 2 years in new charred oak bourbon barrels to get that golden amber color and smoky taste. The white oak barrels are charred to remove the sugars in the wood, which is replaced with smoke from peat fires or mesquite stoves. This gives your beloved bourbon its signature color and flavor, but it also means that as time passes, each batch becomes darker, and more caramelization occurs.
Most of the Time, It’s Made With Corn, but Some Use Rye as Well
Bourbon is made with corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Corn mash is typically used most often as its base grain (72% of the time), but rye comes in second at about 18%. Wheat is also common (usually around 10%), and malted barley makes up 2-4%.
Bourbon Has a Lot of Rules, but It’s Worth Remembering That It’s Not Just Whiskey — It’s Something Special!
You may wonder why bourbon is called bourbon and not whiskey. Well, there are a lot of rules! Bourbon has to meet several criteria before it can earn its name:
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It must be made in the United States.
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American Bourbon must be distilled at less than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume), which means it's pretty strong stuff, most other types of spirits are closer to 70%.
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It must use new charred oak barrels for aging. This gives bourbon its distinct flavor profile and coloration; rum barrels would make your drink too dark and smoky tasting; Scotch whisky barrels would give it too much oakiness; vodka or tequila barrels would make your drink taste like nothing at all. In short, no one else is making anything quite like this stuff.
Bourbon is a great drink, but it's also important to remember that it's not just whiskey. Bourbon has its own special set of rules and regulations that make it unique. You can enjoy this golden brown beverage in many ways, on its own, with ice or water, or mixed into cocktails, but no matter how you choose to enjoy your bourbon, always remember that it has been made with care! That's why at Wood & Barrel, we love making whiskey bourbon barrel furniture and décor from this type of wood.
If you have any questions, please ask our family at 54 Hilliard Street in Manchester, CT, in Hartford County. Or give us a call at (860) 643-9191.
