Meanwhile, your more affordable bourbons just beg to be mixed into a cocktail: you can go classy and whip up a full-bodied Old Fashioned or Manhattan, but bourbon also shines in a Whiskey Sour or a Mint Julep. (There is no minimum length of time the spirit has to be aged, excepting that it must be aged for a minimum of two years to be called "straight bourbon.") Once it is mature, the whiskey is either "cut" with water or bottled at barrel strength.Ī rich, high-proof bourbon loves a big, gorgeous piece of ice, while a more elegant bourbon will shine with just a few drops of water, or might even be best served neat. moonshine), is put into new charred oak barrels and allowed to age. Once it reaches the appropriate strength, the distillate, known as white dog (or "white whiskey," i.e. This liquid, known as mash, is then distilled, typically twice, in column or pot stills. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States-not just Kentucky (as many people believe).Ī mixture of the grains listed above are milled and then combined with water and yeast and allowed to ferment-turning it into what basically amounts to a low-ABV beer. No color or flavoring can be added, unlike other categories of whiskey including Canadian and scotch. must comprise at least 51 percent corn, must be aged in charred new oak barrels, must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and must be bottled at 80 proof or more. Legally, bourbon produced for consumption in the U.S. Simply put, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Although its accolades and awards in recent years may have inflated the price a bit, it’s a truly excellent whiskey, aged for a decade and bottled at 100 proof, with flavors that run the gamut from oak to spice to sweet vanilla.įAQs What's the difference between bourbon and whiskey? Expect an intriguing nose bursting with cherries and sourdough, which leads into a rich palate featuring notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and dried banana.Īmong the many esteemed bourbons on this list, Henry McKenna Single Barrel offers the most superlative presentation of sturdiness, richness, and elegance.
Raising their own grain means that the family can control every aspect of production, and their signature four-grain bourbon-featuring a mash bill of 66.6% corn, 12% malted barley, 11.4% rye and 10% wheat-is a study in complexity and terroir. The Frey family has operated a farm in Nevada since 1854 (incredibly, before Nevada was even a state), but only recently began setting aside some of their grain to use in distillation.
BOURBON WHISKEY FULL
With the farm-to-glass movement in full swing, however, fascinating and nuanced spirits are now being produced by estate distilleries across the nation. But "estate spirits" aren't a familiar concept to most consumers, and for most of the last hundred years or more it's been basically impossible for someone in the US to purchase a bottle of whiskey that was (legally) distilled by the same small family operation that grew the grains. The term "estate" is well-known in the wine world: essentially, "estate wines" are those which are made by the same person (or family, or winery) who grew the grapes. Region: Nevada | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Sourdough, Cinnamon, Dried banana With origins in Bourbon County, Kentucky, the production of bourbon has since expanded across numerous states with bottles of various flavors and price points available. Our top pick is the Henry Mckenna Single Barrel because it has a smooth and structured flavor profile and a reasonable price.
Those elements also help make it different from Scotch and other popular types of whiskey like Canadian and Japanese whisky. Other qualities distinguish bourbon as well, including a characteristic sweetness from the corn, which is absent in other American spirits such as rye whiskey. The American Bourbon Association also points out that it must age in charred new oak barrels and include no color or flavor additives. Your grandpa drank it, it's popular among people who wear flannel, and it has something to do with Kentucky.but what is bourbon, exactly? By definition, bourbon is a type of American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, complemented by grains like malted barley, rye, and wheat.
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