What are the rules for bourbon?

What qualifies bourbon as bourbon?

For a whiskey to be considered Bourbon, its mash – the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled – must contain at least 51% corn. The rest of the mash is usually filled out with rye or wheat, and malted barley.

Can bourbon only be made in Kentucky?

Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States. But Kentucky makes 95% of the world's bourbon supply, so there's a good reason most people associate the two.

Why Jack Daniels is not a bourbon?

The company does not prefer to call it Bourbon whiskey.

Like most Bourbon whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's is produced on American soil. It has a predominantly corn-based mash bill, and is aged in new, charred-Oak barrels for at least two years. These are the legal terms that define a 'straight Bourbon' whiskey.

What is the minimum age for bourbon?

Straight bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years, but straight bourbon aged between two to four years must display an age statement on the bottle indicating the age of the youngest spirit in the bottle. Straight bourbon aged over four years requires no age statement.

BOURBON 101: A BEGINNERS GUIDE

Is Jack Daniels a whiskey or a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey, so it absolutely is whiskey as well. It's even in the name. Whiskey is just the broadest term for distilled grain that's aged in oak barrels, regardless of factors such as the grains used (e.g., corn, rye, wheat, barley, rice), where it's made, the barrels used, and more.

What is the difference between straight bourbon and bourbon whiskey?

The primary requirement that defines bourbon as straight is if the distillate has spent a minimum of two years stored in new charred oak barrels. The only exception to this rule is corn whiskey, which is aged in uncharred or used oak barrels. During the aging process, Bourbon oxidizes and penetrates the wood.

Is Crown Royal a bourbon?

Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name 'Bourbon Mash'.

What do you wear to a bourbon tasting?

Dress to Impress

“Please be well-dressed, at least smart casual,” says Patel. “You don't have to wear a tuxedo, but dress according to the occasion.

How do you drink bourbon?

What is bourbon called Not made in Kentucky?

This bourbon—errr, Tennessee whiskey—was such a standout, it was named our Whisky of the Year in 2019. Outside of Kentucky and Tennessee, the bulk of bourbon is being produced at Indiana's MGP Distillery.

Is Tennessee whiskey the same as bourbon?

Bourbon. Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey are nearly identical. Both are American-made distilled spirits that have regulations regarding production. Bourbon—of which neighboring Kentucky is most famous for—can actually be produced anywhere within the United States, where Tennessee whiskey is exclusive to the state.

What's the difference between Tennessee whiskey and Kentucky bourbon?

Believe it or not, Tennessee whiskey and bourbon have almost identical requirements. In fact, most Tennessee whiskeys meet the criteria for bourbon. The main difference in production is that, sometime after distillation, Tennessee whiskey must be filtered through sugar maple charcoal.

What defines a bourbon?

For a whiskey to call itself bourbon, its mash (the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled) must contain at least 51 per cent corn. The mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less, the distillate must be stored in charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less, and it must not contain any additives.

Are all bourbons whiskey?

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. A strict set of standards from the government regulates what's what. Learn more about what defines "America's native spirit" and the difference between bourbon and whiskey below.

How is bourbon different from whiskey?

Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from grains like corn and rye and aged in wooden barrels. Bourbon is a type of whiskey, and there are strict rules in place to ensure its quality. Bourbon must be made in the US, distilled from at least 51% corn, and aged in new oak-charred barrels.

What food goes best with bourbon?

Other good pairings to bourbon are maple syrup, sweet potatoes, and chocolate. In general, anything with sweet, smoky, or slightly spicy flavors will most likely pair well with bourbon.

How do you taste notes in bourbon?

How many ounces is a bourbon tasting?

Step Two: Pour the Bourbons. Don't go overboard. Limit the tasting itself to three or four Bourbons and make the pours small – about a half an ounce each. You can always come back and pour more after the tasting but the purpose of the tasting is to learn something about the product.

Is Johnny Walker a bourbon?

A blending Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker is made from malted barley. In contrast to bourbon, which is made in the USA from distilled corn, Johnnie Walker has grain whiskies as well as malt whiskies, all distilled from three or more different distilleries, as opposed to a single malt which comes from one.

Is Jim Beam considered bourbon?

“Since 1795, Jim Beam has been crafted by the Beam family and distilled with a strong sense of family values. Seven generations later, it's still made with those same values and aged twice as long as the law requires. Perhaps that's why, today, Jim Beam stands as the World's #1 Bourbon.

Is Hennessy a bourbon?

Home > Whiskey > Is Hennessy A Bourbon Or Whiskey? Apparently, Hennessy is a kind of brandy, or Cognac. In spite of what many people believe, Hennessy is not a whisky. The grapes used to make Hennessy Cognac, not barley or wheat, are used.

How do you drink bourbon for the first time?

On the rocks

If you're a first-time whiskey drinker, this is probably the best way to try bourbon for the first time. Take a small sip after inhaling some of the scents. Keep in mind that straight bourbon isn't meant to be chugged like a cocktail. Instead, this beverage is meant to be savored.

Is drinking bourbon good for you?

Drinking a moderate amount of bourbon per week lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. It applies to those who do not have heart disease as well as those who are currently at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Why is bourbon so popular?

First came the introduction of small-batch and single-barrel expressions in the late '80s and early '90s, which kicked off a premiumization trend and helped boost bourbon's reputation as a high-quality spirit. “We can look at the rise of those and chart the progress of bourbon,” Gregory says.