Bourbon Is Always Aged In New Charred Oak Barrels
Bourbon also must be aged in new charred oak barrels, and cannot include any additives or colorings. Other whiskeys can be aged in barrels previously used to age other spirits, and they don’t necessarily need to be whiskey barrelsport, sherry, and rum casks are used in the aging process for non-bourbon whiskeys. To be designated “straight bourbon whiskey,” bourbon has to have been aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years.
What Is Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is a type of whiskey thats distilled in Ireland from mostly malted and unmalted barley with other grains like rye, and/or wheat. Its known for having a rich, smooth, and sweet taste and is commonly mixed with soda or used in cocktails.
Along with being made of mostly barley, Irish whiskey is also aged in matured oak casks for a minimum of 3 years and bottled at or above 40% ABV.
Irish whiskey can be found in both blended and single malt varieties, with single malt being the most expensive due to its high quality.
Single malt Irish whiskey comes from one distillery using only malted barley, while blended Irish whiskey combines malted and unmalted barley from multiple distilleries.
Some popular Irish whiskies include Jameson, Bushmills, and Paddy.
Can Bourbon Be Made Outside Of America
No. The federal standards governing the identity of bourbon dictate that it is a distinctive product of the United States and that the word bourbon shall not be used to describe any whisky or whisky-based distilled spirits not produced in the United States.According to Swati Sharma, Co-Founder, The Dram Club, sweetness is what marks bourbon from the other varieties of whisky. Since bourbons are made of copious amount of corn they have a delightful sweetness with pronounced notes of vanilla that cant be found in most barley and rye-based whiskies, she clarifies. They also tend to be a bit smoky due to the charred oak. But it takes years of practice of nosing and tasting even for experts to tell the difference between the vast styles of whiskies. The best way to keep getting better at it is to try a mix of both Bourbon and Scotch/other styles and make notes of the difference you can perceive in the nose and on the palate.
Since bourbons are made of copious amount of corn they have a delightful sweetness with pronounced notes of vanilla
Gandhi sums it up best when he says, The best whisky is the one enjoyed with friends and family over lots of banter and fun. Sláinte!
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What Is The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey
One of the main challenges of learning about whiskey for the first time is getting your head around the different types of whiskey that are available. There are many varieties including Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, Bourbon whiskey, and Rye whiskey.
Each whiskey variety differs in terms of its ingredients, how it is distilled, where it is made, and how it is blended. There are even rules and regulations which determine how a whiskey must be made to be labeled a certain way.
To help you better understand whiskey in all of its forms, this post will answer the very common question What Is The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey?
What Qualifies A Whiskey As A Bourbon
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There are several qualifications that a whiskey must meet in order to be classified as a bourbon. First, it must be made in the United States. Second, it must be made from a mashbill that is at least 51% corn. Third, it must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. Fourth, it must be bottled at no less than 40% ABV. And finally, it must not contain any added flavors or colors.
Bourbon distilling is subject to certain requirements outlined in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. Straight Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years before being considered a straight Bourbon. A mash bill of at least 51 percent corn is required for a barrel of bourbon. A variety of grains, such as rye, wheat, or malted barley, can be used to make Bourbon. Straight Bourbon should be aged in charred oak barrels for at least two years before being allowed to become unaged. In addition to improving as it ages, bourbon can be produced by following the same processes that other whiskeys use. When a barrel is capable of maturing to its full potential without over aging, it must be properly matured.
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What About All Those Other Bourbon Descriptions On The Label
Were glad you asked! Again, as long as the spirit follows the ABCDEFG guide we outlined above, its technically and legally bourbon. But there are a lot of other things you might see on labels that can be confusing.
Straight Bourbon Whiskey In order to be labeled as such, it has to be aged for at least two years. If its aged for less than four years, an age statement has to appear on the label.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Same requirements as above, but it has to have been distilled in and aged for at least one year in Kentucky.
Bottled-In-Bond After rectifiers messed up the general population with additives and fake whiskey, Uncle Sam stepped in with one of the first consumer protection laws, the Bottled-in-Bond act, that mandated a minimum of four years aging at exactly 100 proof in one season by a single distiller before being aged in a government bonded warehouse.
Barrel Proof / Cask Strength / Barrel Strength Bourbon These are all interchangeable descriptions that generally refer to bourbon that has not been watered down between leaving the barrel and entering the bottle.
Single Barrel The name is pretty self-explanatory on this one. But this is also the way most Store Pick / House Pick bottles are done.
How Do The Tastes Of Whiskey And Bourbon Differ
Bourbons main characteristic is its sweet flavor, but it also has hints of smokiness due to the charred oak aging process. Bourbons made with higher proportions of corn are generally sweeter than those with more abundant doses of rye. Aside from being sweeter than most Scotch whiskeys, bourbons are often heavier in texture and offer notes of toffee, cinnamon, and vanilla.
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Similar Drinks & Bourbon Substitutes
As weve already explored, there several varieties of American whiskey that have a lot in common with bourbon. Its closest relative will be corn whiskey and its high use of corn results in a very sweet-tasting beverage.
Alternatively, you can consider rye and wheat whiskey, which both taste slightly different as we already explained above. Meanwhile, there are other whiskeys that you can consider from around the world. Most, however, will be produced using other ingredients.
Scotch whisky, for instance, uses malted barley. As a result, its a much more buttery and savoury beverage. Similarly, some regions will smoke the malted barley with peat, which results in a unique flavour often associated with Hebridean territories like Islay and Skye.
That said, Scotch whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Since the barrels have been used, they dont impart as much flavour, but there is still a noticeable influence.
Otherwise, Irish whiskey may bear a closer resemblance to bourbon in that it is lighter and more floral. Since its usually triple-distilled, the barley is less noticeable with the wood playing a greater role.
Interestingly, though, Mexico has a few corn whiskeys given its strong maize agriculture. Theyre certainly worth checking out as a unique
Bourbon Vs Irish Whiskey: The Key Differences
Origin: Bourbon is made in the United States while Irish Whiskey is made in Ireland.
Mashbill: Bourbon must be made of at least 51% corn while Irish Whiskey uses mostly malted barley.
Aging: Bourbon is aged in new charred oak barrels while Irish Whiskey is often aged in previously used bourbon barrels or sherry casks for at least 3 years.
Flavors: Bourbon is usually sweeter and richer than Irish Whiskey. It contains flavors like vanilla, caramel, oak, and brown sugar. Irish Whiskey is less smoky and generally smoother and fruitier than bourbon.
Uses: Bourbon is usually enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a bourbon-heavy cocktail like an Old Fashioned. Irish Whiskey is generally used as a mixer with cola or used in Irish sours.
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Types Of Irish Whiskey
There are four main types of Irish whiskey, which vary in ingredients and distillation processes.
1. Single malt made from 100% malted barley and produced at one distillery in a pot still.
2. Single grain made at a single distillery in a column still .
3. Single pot still distilled in a pot still, and made at one distillery. It has a spicy flavor with at least thirty percent of malted barley and unmalted barley.
4. Blended a mixture of two or more types of Irish whisky that can be made from different distilleries.
What Is The Difference Between Straight Bourbon & Bourbon Whiskey
Drinking whiskey has been popular in the United States since colonial times. Yet Bourbon, while often referred to as Americas native spirit, has become even more popular of late. All Bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is a bourbon. Confused yet? Dont worry, the experts at New Riff Distilling have developed a comprehensive guide to a few basic definitions for the most common words seen on bourbon labels. Today, we focus on the difference between Bourbon whiskey and straight bourbon whiskey.
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What Is American Whiskey
In the beginning Europeans first arrived to the US and they found an abundance of rye, giving birth to rye whiskey in the US. Later after settling into present day Kentucky, corn grew very well and Americas treasure, bourbon came to be. There are many kinds of whiskeys made in the US ranging from unregulated moonshine to white whiskey to the highly regulated Bottled in Bond Bourbon. Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and Rye are the primary types well take a look at.
Whiskey Wisdom: The Difference Between Whiskey And Bourbon
This piece originally appeared as Bourbon vs. Whiskey on Purewow.
Theres nothing better on a cold winters eve than curling up in your buffalo-checked onesie in front of a fire and sipping a nice glass of bourbon. Or is it whiskey? Is there really a difference? Does it matter?
In short, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. And now that we know these essential distinctions, we can really taste the difference.
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How Is Whiskey Considered Bourbon
The fermentation process is what differentiates bourbon from other types of whiskeys. Bourbon is made from a grain mixture that is at least 51 percent corn. Its fermentation process begins by mixing mash from an already fermenting batch, a process known as sour mash, which was developed by Dr. James C. Crow in 1823. After the mash criteria is met, the barrel aging process begins. Bourbon must be aged in new, charred white oak barrels and must be distilled to no more than 80 percent alcohol or 160 proof.
The name bourbon was officially given in 1840, when a distiller by the name of Jacob Spears was the first to label his product Bourbon Whiskey. Prior to this, it was often labeled Bourbon County Whiskey or Old Bourbon County Whiskey. By the 1960s, the United States Congress had declared bourbon whiskey as the countrys official distilled spirit and established the regulations that had to be met in order to be labeled a bourbon.
Popular Bourbon And Whiskey Cocktails
Now, the fun part is mixing these spirits into cocktails! Of course, bourbon cocktails are whiskey cocktails. But not all whiskey cocktails are bourbon cocktails. In other words, some whiskey cocktails call for bourbon specifically. Other whiskey cocktails you can use any style of whiskey, including bourbon. Usually Irish whiskey cocktails and Scotch cocktails are specific to that type of whiskey, so dont substitute bourbon.
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Is Rye Stronger Than Bourbon
Bourbon, on the other hand, is sweet and easy to drink, whereas rye whiskey has a higher level of intensity. In contrast, rum is distilled in no more than 125 proof , whereas whiskey is distilled in no more than 160 proof .
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye: A Unique Canadian Whiskey
The Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye Whiskey is a unique whiskey blend made from 90 percent rye mash whiskies. Canadian rye grain is planted in the fall, and it sprouts until it is covered by a blanket of soft snow in the winter. The winter months slow the growth of the rye plant, resulting in a whiskey with a sweet and delicate flavor.
Bourbon Vs Tennessee Whiskey: Which Is Better
There isnt a one-size-fits-all answer here.
The true answer depends on your taste preferences.
If you want an easy-to-drink whiskey with a modest flavor profile, go with Tennessee Whiskey.
You can enjoy it neat or mix it with whatever soda is nearby for an excellent drink.
If youre a whiskey connoisseur who loves tasting the complexity in their drink, go with bourbon and drink it neat.
If this describes you, I have a bunch of resources for you that will help you find the best bourbons for your budget and taste preferences.
I highly recommend checking out these articles:
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Bourbon Is Made With At Least 51 Percent Corn
What makes bourbon distinct from other whiskeys is the way it is manufactured and aged. All whiskey is spirit made from fermented grain and then aged in barrels. But the kind of grain and the kind of barrels determines the variety of whiskey. Per the American Bourbon Association, in order to be classified as bourbon, a whiskey needs to be distilled from a mixture of grains, or mash, that’s at least 51 percent corn. That corn gives bourbon its distinctive sweet flavor.
It Doesn’t Need To Come From Kentucky
You may have heard that in order to be a bourbon, the whiskey has to be from Kentucky. That’s not quite truebourbon can be made outside that state. But to be designated a “Kentucky bourbon,” the spirit has to be both distilled and aged in Kentucky. The name “bourbon” even comes from old Bourbon, what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky. Most bourbon is made in Kentucky, but not all, so it has become synonymous with the spirit, much as the Champagne region in France is synonymous with champagne, even though sparkling wine using similar methods is produced elsewhere. So next time you order a bourbon, you know that what you’ll be getting in your glass isn’t just a whiskey, but a specific kind of whiskey.
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Is Jack Daniel’s Bourbon
Yes it isOld No. 7 Gentleman JackJack Daniels Single BarrelCheck out the Jack Daniels Single Barrel reviewMeet the Author: Alex
I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. Im proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
If youre on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Shattered glass Glencairns really suck. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
When Would You Want To Use Each Type Of Whiskey
The most well-known whiskey cocktails, the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan, can be made with either bourbon or rye whiskey, according to the drinkers preference, as can the Whiskey Sour, the Hot Toddy, and the Boulevardier and its cousin, the Old Pal.
Some cocktails call specifically for one or the other. The Mint Julep, for example, is always made with bourbon, while the Sazerac is strictly rye-based .
When considering which whiskey to use, keep in mind that rye generally makes a drier cocktail, while bourbons oily mouthfeel can enhance the drinks body. Regardless of your choice, make sure the whiskeys proof is appropriate: Too strong and it will overpower the rest of the ingredients whereas at only 40% ABV, it could get lost. Whiskeys at 43% to 46% ABV hit the middle-of-the-road mark for most cocktails.
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Bourbon Vs Scotch Whisky
Bourbon and Scotch are nutritionally equivalent. However, each 1.5-ounce shot contains 97 calories and 14 grams of alcohol each. Here are the main distinctions between the two.
- There are significant flavor differences between these two whiskeys. Bourbon is sweeter, while Scotch has a more intense smoky flavor.
- Bourbon must be made in the United States to be legally classified. Similarly, Scotch must be made in Scotland to be called Scotch.
- Bourbon must be distilled to contain 80 per cent alcohol, whereas Scotch must contain no more than 94.8 per cent ABV.
- Bourbon has no minimum ageing period, whereas Scotch must have at least three years.
Where Did Whiskey Originate
By 1494, whiskey distillation in Scotland was fully underway. A record in the Exchequer of 1494 indicates that King James IV of Scotland granted a large amount of malt to make aquavitae, an archaic name for the concentrated aqueous solution of ethanol. When King Henry VIII of England dissolved the monasteries in 1536, a large number of monks turned to distillation to make a living. This propelled the production of whiskey, creating enough supply to make the product available to the general public. As European colonists began arriving in America, the practice of distillation also traveled to the New World, and whiskey consumption spread widely. It was even used as a currency during the American Revolutionary War.
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