What is in Sour Mash?

Sour mash is a distillation process used in the production of some whiskey or bourbon whiskey. The term also is used to describe the mash used in this process — a combination of grain, yeast and water that has been removed from a batch of alcohol and allowed to ferment.

What makes sour mash different?

As with the starter in sourdough bread, sour mash whiskey begins the mash with leftover ingredients from a prior batch, much as in bourbon. In the sour mash process, the final product is sweeter and has a deeper flavor.

What defines sour mash?

Definition of sour mash

: grain mash for brewing or distilling whose initial acidity has been adjusted to optimum condition for yeast fermentation by mash from a previous run.

What makes a bourbon a sour mash?

What Is Sour Mash Whiskey? When you see “Sour Mash” on the label, it means the whiskey was distilled using the sour mashing process. What does that mean? Simply that distillers used part of the fermented “mash” (a mixture of grain, yeast, and water) from the previous batch to create the new batch.

Whats the difference between bourbon and sour mash?

As with the starter in sourdough bread, sour mash whiskey begins the mash with leftover ingredients from a prior batch, much as in bourbon. In the sour mash process, the final product is sweeter and has a deeper flavor.

What is a Sour Mash? (ep. 25)

Is Jack Daniels a sour mash?

Using a bit of starter is why Jack Daniel's is called a sour mash. The mash ferments for a full six days before being single distilled in a large copper still made to our exact specifications. And rather than double or triple-distillation, we vaporize and condense our whiskey only once.

Is Maker's Mark a sour mash whiskey?

A family production has been going on for decades. The whiskey of Samuel Samuels. Then they blend the sour mash, which comes from a previous batch-this is why Makers' Mark is classified as a sour mash whiskey-with the sweet mash from the mash tub over next to it.

Is Jim Beam a sour mash?

In contrast to Jim Beam, Jack Daniels is a sour mash whiskey, often referred to as a Tennessee whisky. Jim Beam is a type of bourbon, while Jack Daniels is a bourbon.

Is Buffalo Trace sour mash?

Buffalo Trace Sour Mash Bottling Note

Another unique release in Buffalo Trace's Experimental Collection, this Old Fashioned Sour Mash harks back to the days when things took a lot longer. Distilled in 2002, the mash for this expression is allowed to sour before yeast is added to kickstart the fermentation process.

Is all Tennessee whiskey sour mash?

It's also worth noting that virtually all major bourbon and Tennessee whiskey distillers use the sour mash technique, even though only a portion of them actively market their whiskeys as “sour mash.”

How do I make sour mash?

Making the Starter Mash

Add 7 pounds of cane sugar, 7 pounds of cracked corn, and 5 gallons of 75 degree water to a 6.5 gallon plastic bucket fermenter. Once the ingredients have been added to the fermenter add the yeast starter and an airlock and let it ferment.

What is the difference between sour mash and rye whiskey?

What'S The Difference Between Rye Whiskey And Sour Mash? In addition, it uses the sour mash process, where the mash is fermented with yeast as well as part of a fermentation that has already occurred. Rye whiskey can only be called rye whiskey if it is at least 51 percent rye.

Is Scotch whiskey sour mash?

It also uses a sour mash process — that is, the mash is fermented with yeast and includes a portion from a mash that has already been fermented. U.S. regulations specify that in order for a whiskey to be called bourbon, it must be made in the United States.

Is Wild Turkey sour mash?

Once the malted barley is added, we introduce our sour mash - a previously fermented mash that still contains live yeast - to start a new fermentation process. It's the yeast that turns the starch into sugar, giving Wild Turkey its full, rich flavor.

What is the main ingredient of Canadian whiskey?

Canadian whiskies are most typically blends of whiskies made from a single grain, principally corn and rye, but also sometimes wheat or barley. Mash bills of multiple grains may also be used for some flavouring whiskies.

What is the difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon?

Both whiskeys require the same corn percentage in the mashbill and must be aged in new charred oak barrels. The primary difference is that Tennessee whiskey must go through a charcoal filtering process, which mellows the whiskey's character. For that reason, bourbon is often bolder and has a more robust flavor.

Why is Jack Daniels not considered bourbon?

The ingredients and distillation process used to make Jack Daniels fulfil all of the requirements necessary for it to be considered an American bourbon whiskey — yet it is not called a bourbon. The reason it is not called a bourbon is the additional step that Jack Daniels take when making their whiskey.

What is difference between Jack Daniels and Jim Beam?

The Jim Beam bourbon has more spice and less sweetness on the palate.It is also a bit cheaper than the Jack Daniel's whiskey. The Beam makes for quite a light drinking experience, and I found it a bit bland. The Jack Daniel's has more sweetness and vanilla notes, and it is more memorable.

What makes bourbon different from whiskey?

Bourbon Is Made With At Least 51 Percent Corn

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.

Which whiskeys are sour mash?

Why is whiskey spelled wrong on Maker's Mark?

The US follows the Irish example and spells whiskey with an e, although there are a number of major exceptions. George Dickel, Makers Mark and Old Forester all follow the Scottish spelling.

What is the difference between moonshine and bourbon?

Moonshine is most similar to bourbon in flavor but is rougher and less complex as it hasn't been aged. The two drinks are very different and are not meant to be mixed together. Even though many people compare moonshine and vodka, they are very different drinks.

What is Jim Beam made from?

We can't tell you the exact recipe for our bourbon—that's a family secret. But we can tell you that Jim Beam is produced from the fermentation and distillation of corn, rye, and malted barley. We love the bourbon we make, but Beam Suntory does not advise legal-age adults whether or not to drink.

Is Jack Daniels sour mash whiskey a rye whiskey?

As with most whiskeys Jack Daniel's starts with a fermented mash consisting of 80% corn, 12% rye and 8% malted barley.

What is the main ingredient in Jack Daniels?

The mash for Jack Daniel's is composed of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley, and is distilled in copper stills. It is then filtered through 10-foot (3.0 m) stacks of sugar maple charcoal. The company refers to this filtering step as "mellowing".