What is Bourbon?
This is the first blog post for a new series dedicated entirely to the world of bourbon. Bourbon isn't just a drink; it's rooted in American history and tradition.
We are going to be looking into what sets bourbon apart from other spirits, what gives it that distinctive flavor profile, what a mash bill is, where bourbon can be produced, and much more. Today’s blog is going to look at bourbon at an entry level and simply set out the guidelines of the questions about what bourbon is.
I’m sure most of you may have been to a tasting room, bar, or restaurant and heard a bartender say this popular explanation of bourbon:
“All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon”. In short, bourbon is a subcategory of whiskey.
So, what is whiskey? Whiskey is a spirit distilled from grains and aged in barrels. Whiskey is made around the world, and you probably have tasted various types of whiskey, such as Irish Whiskey and Scotch. However, Irish Whiskey and Scotch have regulations they must follow to be classified as such. However, this would be out of the scope of this blog. Today, we are going to look at the regulations of bourbon.
The requirement for distilling bourbon is defined under the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The defining factor that makes bourbon a unique whiskey is the law. Let’s look at these regulations.
Made in America: Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called Bourbon Whiskey. Also, let’s take the time to look at the myth that only bourbon is distilled in Kentucky. About 95% of all bourbon is produced in the Bluegrass State, but bourbon can be distilled anywhere in the United States.
Mash Bill of at Least 51 Percent Corn: First, a mash bill is the grain used in the production of any whiskey. For bourbon, corn must make up 51% or more. The other 49% of the mash bill includes grains such as wheat or rye, and malted barley.
Aged in New Charred Oak Barrels: The requirement for new charred oak barrels contributes to better aging and color characteristics. Since no artificial colorings or flavorings can be added, this requirement is instrumental in the maturation of bourbon flavor. Other types of whiskey can be aged in used barrels.
All Natural: Unlike other types of whiskey like Canadian, Scotch, and Irish where coloring and flavor additives may be added, bourbon is authentic; no artificial colorings or flavorings can be added.
Proof: Bourbon cannot be distilled at higher than 160 proof and can’t be put into a barrel at higher than 125 proof. Also, bourbon must be at least 80 proof when bottled.
These regulations make bourbon different from other types of whiskey. Next, we are going to look at how to decode a bourbon label.
Cheers until next time!
