Bourbon

Words by Simon Difford

Bourbon image 1

Bourbon is as American as the Stars and Stripes, the Grand Canyon and pumpkin pie, but there are some common misconceptions as to what exactly bourbon is and how it is made. Bourbon is a specific category of America whiskey and to be labelled a 'bourbon', it must be produced according to a strict set of rules. The following 'ABC' is a handy reminder of these specific criteria.

A = American: must be made in the USA (not just Kentucky).

B = Barrels: must be aged in brand new, charred oak barrels at 62.5% alc./vol. or less.

C = Corn: must have a mash bill formed from at least 51% corn (but not more than 79%) plus a flavouring grain - either wheat or rye - and a little malted barley (though there are no rules governing the quantities of these other grains.

D = Distillation: must be distilled to a strength of not more than 80% alc./vol. Most bourbon is distilled to between 62.5% and 70% alc./vol.

E = Entry: must go into barrel at no more than 62.5% alc./vol.

F = Filling: must be bottled at a minimum of 40% alc./vol.

G = Genuine: must not contain any artificial flavours, colours or other alcohols.

Surprisingly, there is no minimum age requirement for bourbon. However, USA 'straight' whiskey (be it 'straight bourbon whiskey', 'straight rye whiskey', 'straight corn whiskey' or 'straight Tennessee whiskey) must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred oak casks. Any whiskey which has been aged for less than four years must state its age on the label. Generally two- to four-year-old whiskies are best avoided.

No colouring or flavouring may be added to 'straight' whiskey, however, bourbon labelled as a 'blend' or 'blended' may contain added colouring, flavouring and other spirits, typically un-aged grain neutral spirits. However, at least 51 per cent of such a product must consist of straight bourbon.

Contrary to popular belief, Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States but is native to the South. Peculiarly, only Kentucky Bourbon can advertise the state where it is made so, for example, there no Tennessee Bourbons. The reason for this is highly political: Kentucky had more senators than its neighbours and blatantly used its voting power to achieve this preferential outcome.

More on bourbon

Bourbon origins and history
How is bourbon made

Sort by:
Maker's Mark bourbon image

Maker's Mark bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45

Wild Turkey 101 image

Wild Turkey 101

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50.5

Evan Williams Single Barrel image

Evan Williams Single Barrel

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43.3

Four Roses Mariage Collection 2009 Release image

Four Roses Mariage Collection 2009 Release

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 54.8

Old Forester 2011 Birthday Bourbon (10th Edition) image

Old Forester 2011 Birthday Bourbon (10th Edition)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 49

Angel's Envy image

Angel's Envy

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43.5

Smooth Ambler Yearling Small Batch Bourbon image

Smooth Ambler Yearling Small Batch Bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout Bourbon image

Smooth Ambler Very Old Scout Bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50

Four Roses Small Batch 2012 image

Four Roses Small Batch 2012

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 55.7

Willett Family Estate Single Barrel 16yo image

Willett Family Estate Single Barrel 16yo

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 69.1

Four Roses Small Batch image

Four Roses Small Batch

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45

Four Roses Single Barrel image

Four Roses Single Barrel

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50

Elijah Craig Small Batch image

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47

Woodford Reserve bourbon image

Woodford Reserve bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43.2

Eagle Rare 17 Years Old image

Eagle Rare 17 Years Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45

Hancock's Reserve Single Barrel image

Hancock's Reserve Single Barrel

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 44.4

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon image

Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel Bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50

Jefferson's Reserve Small Batch image

Jefferson's Reserve Small Batch

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45.1

Four Roses 100 Anniversary Edition image

Four Roses 100 Anniversary Edition

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 57.3

Maker's 46 image

Maker's 46

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47

Four Roses 120th Anniversary Edition image

Four Roses 120th Anniversary Edition

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 55.5

Wild Turkey Rare Breed image

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 56.4

John J. Bowman Single Barrel straight Bourbon image

John J. Bowman Single Barrel straight Bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50

Old Forester 2012 Birthday Bourbon (11th Edition) image

Old Forester 2012 Birthday Bourbon (11th Edition)

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.5

Showing results per page

Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2024