Straight whiskies are also not allowed to use any sort of additives, such as caramel coloring. If it is aged less than four years, the bottle is required to display an age statement. A straight bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years. Straight bourbon: Straight bourbon is a style of bourbon that adheres to stricter standards and regulations.Bourbon's trademark sweetness is derived mostly from the corn and other grains fermented as part of the mash bill. Notable flavor notes commonly attributed to bourbon are toffee, vanilla, and butterscotch. Subtle taste differences: Bourbon generally has a sweeter flavor profile when compared to other whiskies.Legally, bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV) and must be at 125 proof (62.5% ABV) when the barrel aging process begins. There are standards for what proof the bourbon must be at other points in the production process, too. Proof: Bottled bourbon must be at least 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume).Whiskey bottles are often labeled with the number of years they are aged in the barrel. The aging process can last anywhere from a few months to many years. Aging in the barrel is what gives bourbon its color, along with added flavor from contact with the wood barrel. Aging process: Bourbon must be aged in new, charred barrels made from American white oak."Each cereal grain has its own set of characteristics," Gustafson says. This combination of fermented grain is called the mash bill. The remainder can be any other type of cereal grain such as rye, barley, or wheat. To meet the legal requirements, it needs to be distilled from at least 51% corn. Grain makeup/mash bill: Bourbon is a grain whiskey.It is closely associated with Kentucky and the Southern US, but it can be made anywhere in the country. Geographic region: All bourbon must be distilled and aged in the United States.To maintain standards across the industry, there is a strict legal definition of what actually constitutes a bourbon: "It isn't aged for as long as Scotch" - which is another type of whiskey - "so it gets most of its flavor from the grains used." "Bourbon is a younger whiskey," says Gustafson. They're all whiskies."īecause of its cultural significance in the United States, bourbon is made with very specific criteria to ensure it maintains the qualities that make it unique. "There's a common confusion about what they are. "People will come into the whiskey room and say something to the effect of 'Do you have bourbon too? Or just whiskey?' or 'I don't really like whiskey, but I like bourbon,'" Gustafson says. Many drinkers think that bourbon and whiskey are completely distinct.
To help demystify the relationship between bourbon and other whiskies, we spoke with rare whiskey collector and founder of the Anthology Whiskey Room, David Gustafson.īourbon barrels are charred before the aging process begins. But what is it that makes bourbon such an enduring and desirable beverage? It is often enjoyed on its own, or as part of popular cocktails such as the old fashioned, mint julep, and the Manhattan. There are many myths and legends about the origins of bourbon, but it's believed that whiskey has been distilled in the United States since the late 18th century.īourbon is closely associated with the American South, most notably Kentucky. That's right - bourbon is a type of whiskey. Because of its historical and geographical significance, there are strict legal guidelines in place to maintain quality standards and ensure that each type of whiskey maintains its unique attributes.īourbon is by far the most popular variety of American whiskey. Historians can trace its origins back to Ireland, where there is evidence of it being distilled in the early 15th century. Simply put, whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains and then aged in wooden barrels. But you might not have thought much about what it actually is. Most people who enjoy the occasional libation have encountered whiskey at some point in their lives.
0 kommentar(er)
