Last Updated: September 6, 2021
Bourbon is America’s whiskey. By definition, bourbon is at least 51 percent corn, produced in the United States, and aged in new, charred oak barrels for at least two years. It doesn’t, contrary to popular belief, have to be made in Kentucky.
When it comes to whiskey, it commonly comes down to bourbon vs rye or bourbon vs Scotch. There’s plenty of good bourbon out there for competitions like that, but it’s not all about ratings. Some of the best brands like Jim Beam, Four Roses, and Maker’s Mark taste just as good neat as they do in classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Mint Julep, and Old Fashioned. Read VinePair’s full bourbon guide for everything you need to know about America’s whiskey.
What Is Bourbon?
Bourbon is a type of whiskey, made with a mixture of grains (mash bill) containing at least 51 percent corn. Bourbon can be produced anywhere in the United States, not just Kentucky as is widely believed. The liquor must be distilled to no stronger than 160 proof, and the distillate must then enter charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less. Bottles can be labeled “Straight Bourbon Whiskey” when they have aged in charred new oak for at least two years.
Bourbon vs Whiskey
Bourbon and whiskey are often compared directly against each other. In fact, bourbon is a type of whiskey, much like Cabernet Sauvignon is a type of wine or IPA is a type of beer. While bourbon is legally bound to be made using a majority corn in the mash bill, whiskey can be distilled from wheat, rye, barley, or corn. Whiskey’s distillation proof must be no more than 190 proof (30 proof points higher than bourbon) and its origin can be anywhere in the world.
How to Drink Bourbon
With any spirit, there’s an opportunity to be as simple or creative as you like. Imbibing bourbon is no exception. To let the spirit’s natural characteristics shine, serve it neat, dilute with a small amount of water, or pour over ice (à la on the rocks). Explore its diversity in classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Mint Julep, and Old Fashioned. Bourbon’s versatility also extends to the kitchen. Experiment with bourbon spiked chili, or indulge your sweet tooth by creating a bourbon syrup for weekend waffles or salted-bourbon caramel sauce for ice cream and peach pie.
Bourbon 101 – Plus the Best Selling Bourbons
Chad and Sara, co-hosts of the YouTube online series It’s Bourbon Night, dive into the fundamentals of bourbon. Dubbed the 101 course regarding America’s Native Spirit, the duo outlines what officially makes whiskey a bourbon. Both present in a charismatic format that is easy-to-understand, entertaining, and informative to viewers. We highly recommend subscribing to this channel, as the two posts reviews, trips, and bourbon-related findings each week.
Visit our friends at It’s Bourbon Night for more videos, keeping you current on all things related to bourbon.
