Bourbon Whiskey – America’s Native Spirit

Contributing editor and subject matter expert: Paul Schubert

History

Bourbon, or Bourbon Whiskey, is an American distilled spirit made primarily of corn. (Check out our blog on Whiskey 101.) Sources believe the process of distillation ended up in Kentucky in the 1700s by Irish and Scottish immigrants. Although there’s no one person credited with the creation of bourbon, Elijah Craig and Jacob Spears were two of the earliest known distillers.

The geographic region related to early Bourbon production, referred to as Old Bourbon, organized in 1785 in the area what is now much of eastern Kentucky. Bourbon County, so named for the French House of Bourbon, is the region thought closely associated with Bourbon production but saw no operational distilleries for nearly 100 years. In 1964 Congress adopted a resolution that declared that Bourbon was a “distinctive product of the United States”.

With good reason, Kentucky is synonymous with bourbon. The state produces approximately 95% of the global supply, generating 8.5 billion dollars in revenue and providing over 17,000 jobs.

Laws and Regulations

Distillation of bourbon is subject to many laws that dictate how it‘s made. To carry the title, it must be:

• Produced in the United States
• Have a minimum of 51% corn mash
• Aged in new, charred oak barrels
• Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% abv)
• Barreled for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% abv)
• Bottled at 80 proof or more (40% abv or higher). (Basic blended Bourbons do not have aging requirements.)

Straight Bourbon and Bottled-in-Bond

While basic blended bourbons don’t have a minimum age requirement, to be labeled as a Straight Bourbon, it must age a minimum of 2 years with no added colorings, flavorings or other spirits. If a Straight Bourbon ages under 4 years, then it’s aging duration must be labeled on the bottle. A Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is a Straight Bourbon that has aged for at least 4 years. However, any age statement on the label will always show the youngest whiskey in the bottle.

Blended Bourbon

A more recent style of bourbon that blends multiple bourbon whiskies from multiple distilleries together. Regulations stipulate that blended bourbons must be a minimum 51% Straight Bourbon but has no minimum age requirement and can contain flavorings, colorings and other spirits. Blended Bourbons still follow all laws regarding the Bourbon classification.

Small Batch

There is no legal definition for a small batch Bourbon. In general, a small batch bourbon will be a smaller production and batch distilled in pot stills. For the larger producers, a small batch bourbon will be a smaller production bourbon with limited availability, usually seasonal and with extremely high demand.

Single Barrel

Single Barrel bourbon is bottled from a single barrel rather than being a barrel blend. Also, single barrel bourbons also tend to be small batch, with producers sacrificing consistency from batch to batch to allow for the unique characteristics of a given barrel to shine. Much like small batch, single barrel bourbons are smaller production with limited availability.

Cask Strength

Cask Strength isn’t necessarily a style of bourbon in and of itself, nor are there laws that define what cask strength means. In the simplest terms, cask strength bourbons are bourbons that are bottled at the same alcohol content as they are in the barrel. There is no water added prior to bottling to lower the alcohol content. Cask strength bourbons can fall between 55% to 70% abv with 60%-65% being fairly common alcohol contents.

Flavor Profile

Bourbons differ from producer to producer. The water used, barrel char, mash bill, blending, aging and alcohol content are all going to determine the flavor profile. There are common flavors and aromas that will be present across most bourbons and tend to be sweeter with a heavier vanilla note than most whiskies. They can range from light to full-bodied and have a fruitiness such as apple or pear notes. Depending on the barrel char, you can get flavors and aromas of caramel, toffee, smoke, or licorice.

Recognizable brands

Regularly Available

• Jim Beam
• Jack Daniels
• Bulleit
• Maker’s Mark
• Woodford Reserve
• Old Forester
• Evan Williams

Limited Availability

• Buffalo Trace
• Booker’s
• Elmer T Lee
• Colonel E.H. Taylor
• Blanton’s
• Hancock’s Reserve
• Eagle Rare 10 Year

Special Release/Very Hard to Get

• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year
• Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
• Stagg Jr
• George T Stagg
• Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, 20yr, 23yr

Cocktails

• Mint Julep
• Manhattan
• Old Fashioned
• Hot Toddy
• Whiskey Sour
• Boulevardier
• Kentucky Mule

We hope you enjoy the information we’ve presented here and find valuable use in choosing your bourbon selections. If you need any accessories for your bar set, please use our Amazon Affiliates links below…we certainly appreciate the support!

References

Kentucky Distillers Association