What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey and how to taste the real thing?
The main difference between bourbon and whiskey is that the main raw material for its production is corn (at least 51%), and not barley, as in other representatives of this group of alcoholic beverages. It is also true that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey?
Another name for bourbon is American corn whiskey. If you carefully examine the label on a bottle of alcohol, you will notice the inscription Bourbon Whiskey. In other words, bourbon is a type of whiskey. But the difference between the drinks is significant.
The main difference between bourbon is considered to be the use of a grain mixture with a predominance of corn. It must be at least 51% of the composition.
What other differences there are between bourbon and whiskey, we suggest studying in the table:
| Bourbon | Whiskey | |
| Titles | Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Kentucky Gentleman, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Bulleit Bourbon and others | Johnnie Walker, Glenlivet, Jack Daniel's, Monkey Shoulder, Chivas Regal, Jameson, Dewar's, Nikka, Whiskey The Chita Suntory and others |
| Compound | 51% corn and other grains | pure barley or mixture of grains |
| Color | golden amber | from light yellow to dark brown |
| Taste | burning, sweet, tart | rich, complex, multifaceted |
| What cocktails is it used in? | Manhattan, Sazerac, Horseneck, Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, New York Sour, Whiskey Sour, Boulevardier, Lynchburg Lemonade | Irish Coffee, Whiskey Cola, Blood and Sand, Russian Whiskey, Cream Whiskey, Penicillin, Rusty Nail |
| Kinds | refers to American whiskey
Straight – straight bourbon Blended - mixed Barrel proof – maximum strength Honey - honey |
Irish, Scottish, American, Japanese, Canadian whiskey
according to other classifications – malt, grain, blended |
| Excerpt | from 2 years | from 3 years |
| Barrel type | new oak barrels, charred on the inside | old oak barrels after aging sherry, bourbon, wines, port |
| Manufacturer country | America | Scotland, Canada, America, Japan or Ireland |
| Price | 1300 rub. on average, the most expensive is $65,000 (OLD RIP VAN WINKLE 25 YEAR OLD BOURBON) | on average 1600-3200 rubles, up to $6,000,000. (Isabellsa’s Isla), many collectible samples |
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Bourbon - what is it?
Initially, bourbon is a simple strong alcoholic drink, without any sophistication (similar to moonshine). It was made by ordinary American residents using accessible and cheap raw materials - corn. According to one version, Pastor E. Craig aged the corn base in fish barrels, which he fired to get rid of the pungent odor. He noticed that the drink took on a special taste. Bourbon was later standardized. It began to be produced in the 18th century.
For some time the drink was called Bourbon whiskey. And only in 1840 a separate name was assigned to it.
How bourbon is made:
- First, the grains (corn and others) are mixed and ground.
- The drink is distilled at a strength of up to 80%.
- Filled in cypress barrels at a strength of up to 62.5%.
- Aged in new oak barrels.
- Bottled at a strength of at least 40%.
Adding dyes, flavors and other impurities to bourbon is prohibited by law.
Over time, the Americans elevated bourbon to the rank of elite drinks, but it is still far from premium whiskey.
Whiskey - what is it?
Whiskey is the most popular alcoholic drink in the world. The Irish and Scots hotly debate who created it first. The first mention of it dates back to 1405. Today there are several types of whiskey:
- Scottish;
- Irish;
- Japanese;
- American;
- Canadian.
The type of drink is:
- Single malt. Prepared on the basis of barley malt. To obtain a unique bouquet of aromas and tastes, it is aged in new and old barrels of bourbon, sherry, etc.
- Grain. It is created on the basis of whole crops without any malting procedure. It is usually not produced in its pure form and is used to create blended whiskey.
- Blended. Consists of a mixture of types of whiskey, usually grain and malt.
The production process includes the following steps:
- Cleaning and soaking barley for germination (malting).
- Drying sprouted grains with smoke.
- Grind to a powder and soak in water for 12 hours.
- Add yeast and heat to 37 degrees for fermentation.
- Distillation.
- Aging in old oak barrels.
- Creation of blends (certain types), bottling.
Question answer
Is Jack Daniels Bourbon or Whiskey?
In taste and essence (composition), Jack Daniels is closer to bourbon than to common single malt whiskeys and blends. However, the manufacturer positions it as whiskey, as evidenced by the marking on the bottle WHISKEY. In addition, as we remember, by law, bourbon must be produced in Kentucky and not undergo additional filtration. Jack is made in Tennessee and passed through a charcoal filter.Few people know that the North American Trade Agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada (1992) states that Tennessee whiskey is bourbon made in Tennessee. But later the company disowned such a definition.
How to drink bourbon correctly?
The drink is usually served in wide, thin glass Tumbler or Highball glasses. Like all other strong alcohol, it is better to combine bourbon with cheese and fruit. During the feast, you should pay attention to dried meat, fish, seafood in creamy sauce, basturma, and nuts. The drink is drunk neat (at room temperature and with ice), mixed with soda, and prepared into cocktails. It all depends on personal preferences and mood.
Many people are familiar with bourbon from Jim Beam, its best-selling, relatively budget-friendly representative. When trying to compare it with the equally popular Jack Daniels whiskey (controversial in classification), it is almost impossible to understand the difference between the drinks. For comparison, it is correct to choose Scotch, Canadian, Japanese or Irish whiskey.