Bourbon is a household term. But despite it being such a common expression, many do not know what the term Bourbon actually means - apart from it being some sort of whiskey.
Even fewer know that corn is the main ingredient or how strictly regulated Bourbon is. Also, there are parts of the world where not all Bourbon is considered whiskey - at least not officially, as it does not always fulfill the local legal requirements.
So, let's look at what Bourbon is in our guide.
Bourbon is a specific type of whiskey native to Kentucky, USA, primarily made from sweet corn. Its mash bill must consist of a grain mix with at least 51% corn. That is also the reason for its distinct sweet taste. No other whiskey offers a similar flavor profile.
That sweetness is also why cocktail recipes that include Bourbon shouldn't be made with other types of whiskey - at least if you aim for their classic taste.
Bourbon has a distinctively sweet taste coming from corn. Yet, throughout the aging process, the spirit acquires additional flavors. That can be but is not limited to vanilla, caramel, spice, and, naturally, oak.
The flavor profiles are comparable between brands, but there are still noticeable differences in taste and quality. You can experience the flavors and aromas best if you drink it neat in a type of whiskey glass designed for the purpose.
Whiskey, in general, is an amber-colored, barrel-aged spirit made of fermented grain with at least 40% vol. The most characteristic feature of Bourbon is that its mash bill must have at least 51% corn, whereas other whiskeys are mostly made of barley, rye, and wheat.
Corn is also responsible for the comparably sweet taste. Whiskey beginners might not taste a massive difference between Bourbon and other types. However, once your palate is more trained, you will definitely be able to taste the corn.
If you want to know more about the spirit in general, head over to our Whiskey Guide.
The mash bill isn't the only requirement a spirit has to meet to be called Bourbon Whiskey. There's a lot more to it. According to the US Code of Federal Regulations, CFR §5.143c (2), these are:
Kentucky is the home of Bourbon. Yet, even if most Bourbon is from there, it doesn't necessarily have to be. The regulation regarding the production site is that as an original American product. It has to be manufactured in the US to be called Bourbon. Hence, you could produce Bourbon in every state but not outside America!
Yet, in reality, only a few attempt to produce it even outside Kentucky. The state accounts for 95% of the global Bourbon production. There's also a sub-type called "Kentucky Bourbon". Obviously, this type has to be distilled and aged in Kentucky.
You can discern different types of the US spirit, either regarding aging time, mash bill, or the blend:
In European countries, whiskey needs to age for a minimum of three years before you can legally call it whiskey in the first place.
With standard Bourbon having no specific requirement regarding how long it must be aged, some producers stay below that three-year mark. So these Bourbons technically do not qualify as whiskey in European countries.
But no need to panic. Most popular Bourbon brands barrel-age their spirits for three years or more. If they don't, it must say so on the label.
For instance, the best-seller from Jim Beam is aged four years. Also, if you now wait for info on Jack Daniel's, that's not Bourbon, really. It's Tennessee Whiskey. You can read more about this in Jim Beam vs. Jack Daniels.
Bourbon is a classic. Back in the days when cocktails came up in the US, it was widely available and continues to be today. So, no wonder bartenders and mixologists use it in many of our favorite whiskey drinks.
It's probably most famous in drinks like
