Bourbon must be distilled from at least 51 percent corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and bottled without artificial colorings or flavorings.īourbon is made from a mash bill of grains that must include 51 percent corn, water, and yeast. Yes, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. A single barrel expression goes unblended, so tasting notes will differ from barrel to barrel. Most bourbons are blended by mixing whiskey from different barrels together to achieve a particular flavor profile. Ones that don’t are known as cask strength as they go into the bottle at the same ABV they come out of the barrel.Ī "bottled in bond" label requires the whiskey to have been aged a minimum of four years in a supervised (bonded) warehouse, come from barrels filled by a single maker in a single season, and be bottled at 100 proof. When buying bourbons, you’ll want to be on the lookout for words like "cask strength," "bottled in bond," and "single barrel." Most whiskey expressions have some water added to them before bottling to achieve the desired proof (alcohol by volume). So, if a bourbon carries no age statement, you know each component used in the blending spent at least four years in a barrel.
![bourbon whiskey bourbon whiskey](https://whiskeyconsensus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Old-Carter-Straight-Bourbon-Whiskey-2020-Batch-5.jpg)
If the whiskey is under four years the bottle must carry an age statement. To be called "straight bourbon" the expression must be two years old. But to be called bourbon, there is no requirement for time in the barrel. The longer the liquid spends aging, the more impact the wood has on the resulting whiskey. Time sleeping in wood gives bourbon flavors that don’t emanate from the distillation process. Some use a higher ratio of corn for a sweeter profile, others go big on rye to give their whiskey additional spicy notes, and a decent portion of wheat in the mash gives expressions a nutty quality.
![bourbon whiskey bourbon whiskey](https://www.der-schnapsstodl.de/media/image/40/9c/66/DSC09780_Fotor.jpg)
Yes, bourbon must be distilled from 51 percent corn, but brands can use that other 49 percent to tinker with flavor. This may seem obvious, but different bourbons are made with different ingredients. What to Look for When Buying Bourbon Mash Bill (mix of grains) It’s a tasty way to punch up some smoked chicken or grilled salmon. Or, try out a spicy bourbon honey glaze: Take whiskey, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and cayenne to a saucepan and simmer until it becomes syrupy. You can't go wrong with adding a good amount of bourbon to brisket or ribs. Whiskey in general, and bourbon in particular, is a wonderful way to add flavor in the kitchen and the barbecue pit. If you want to try cooking with bourbon, a cheaper option is also a good idea. The result is a quite approachable drink that's soft and smooth in the mouth and ready for its close-up in a fussy cocktail. Master distiller Brent Elliott and company use two different mash bills and five strains of yeast to create spirits which, in the case of this bourbon, are then aged at least five years. Previously known as Four Roses Yellow Label, it’s a whiskey that you won’t find on the top shelf at your liquor store, but you will see on the rail at a bar where the tender knows his or her game. Whether you can’t or just don’t want to spend a lot on bourbon, but still prefer not to drink “rotgut” whiskey, Four Roses Bourbon is a sure-fire winner. View On Drizly View On Flaviar View On ReserveBarĪBV: 80 proof | Age: 5 years | Volume: 750 milliliters Because too much good bourbon is barely enough.
![bourbon whiskey bourbon whiskey](https://www.just-whisky.co.uk/215573-thickbox_default/bourbon-whiskey-24-years-old-that-boutique-y-whiskey-co-batch-1-area-51.jpg)
Here are the best bourbons that won’t disappoint. Certainly, some of the old stalwarts can be hard to find or are sold at a hefty markup, but whiskey drinkers still enjoy an embarrassment of riches. To keep pace, bourbon production has jumped over 360 percent since 2000, according to the Kentucky Distillers Association. In fact, there’s so much new juice on the shelves of your local shop, it can be hard to keep up with new producers and bottlings. There are a few other rules as well-distilled from at least 51 percent corn, aged in new oak barrels, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. While Americans have been drinking whiskey aged in charred barrels since the 1820s (give or take), demand for the brown spirit has recently rocketed. In fact, to be called bourbon, it has to be made in the United States. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, famously said, “If I cannot drink bourbon and smoke cigars in heaven, then I shall not go.” Of course, it would be nearly impossible to argue with the late writer on this or any other subject, and why would you want to? Bourbon is liquid sunshine, and like Twain, the spirit is an American classic.