Learn our introduction to bourbon, then discover our different whiskey guides, together with rye whiskey, Irish whiskey, Japanese whiskey and Scotch whiskey.
What’s Bourbon?
Like Scotch whisky, bourbon is ruled by strict authorized necessities (in any other case it can’t be referred to as bourbon). It should be made within the USA with no less than 51% corn within the mash invoice (the mix of grains that’s boiled, fermented, and distilled into bourbon), distilled to a most of 160 proof, aged in new charred oak barrels, and bottled at a minimal of 40 % alc. The overwhelming majority of bourbon is made in Kentucky, however yow will discover distilleries all around the nation.
Getting old and labelling
Not like Scotch whisky, bourbon has no minimal growing old requirement, but when a bottle is labeled as ‘straight bourbon’ then it should have been aged for no less than two years. If a bourbon has been aged for lower than 4 years, it should have an age assertion on the bottle. Different phrases you could come throughout are “small batch” – often bourbons blended from a fastidiously curated, comparatively small collection of barrels – whereas “single barrel” is bourbon constituted of only one barrel. ‘Cask power’ is the place bourbons are bottled with out dilution in order that they’re stronger and extra alcoholic.
How does bourbon style?
Resulting from its excessive corn content material, bourbon often tastes candy in character, whereas different components, reminiscent of cask growing old, impart flavors and aromas of vanilla, caramel, baking spices, maple, toasted oak, nuttiness, and cocoa. Along with the required 51% corn, the mash can include various quantities of different grains, reminiscent of rye, malted barley, and wheat, and this may have an effect on how the bourbon tastes. Bourbons with a excessive wheat content material are clean and candy in character, whereas bourbons with a excessive rye content material are spicier.
What’s Tennessee Whiskey?
Tennessee whiskey is similar to bourbon – it is made nearly precisely the identical means with lots of the identical authorized necessities for the manufacturing course of. The principle variations are that it might probably solely be made within the state of Tennessee and after distillation the spirit is filtered by sugar maple charcoal referred to as the Lincoln County Course of. This ends in a clean, smooth finish end result, which is why bourbons are usually a bit bolder and extra strong in character. Tennessee whiskey can be labeled as such on the bottle (Jack Daniels being essentially the most well-known instance).
Methods to drink bourbon
It is pretty to drink neat, though increased alcohol content material alcoholic drinks might profit from a small splash of water – this may dilute the drink but in addition soften the kick of the alcohol which may numb the style buds. It additionally helps to open the thoughts. Bourbon is good in cocktails and plenty of traditional recipes name for it. Strive it in an quaint, mint julep, boulevardier or highballs.
Extra like this
9 finest bourbons to strive at a look
- Greatest Rye Ahead Bourbon: LITTLE bourbon, £53.95
- Greatest all-rounder bourbon: Buffalo Hint bourbon, £24.95
- Greatest Barrel Resistant Bourbon: Wild Turkey Uncommon Extensive Barrel Proof Bourbon, £53.99
- Greatest for Citrus Tones: Frey Ranch bourbon, £54.95
- Greatest Single Barrel Bourbon: 4 Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, £44.95
- Greatest Traditional Bourbon: Redwood Empire Pipe Dream bourbon, £47.99
- Greatest Straightforward Sipper: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whisky, £55.04
- Bourbon with the perfect value: Ezra Brooks Kentucky straight bourbon, £25.94
- Greatest Blended Bourbon: Yellowstone Choose Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, £52
9 finest bourbons to strive in 2023
LITTLE Bourbon
Greatest rye-forward bourbon
Evanston, Illinois was as soon as the middle of the Prohibition motion within the US and a totally “dry” city till 1972 when the sale of alcohol was legalized. It’s now dwelling to FEW Spirits. Their successful bourbon has traditional notes of vanilla and caramel, in addition to loads of toasty, woody spice because of a rye-forward mash.
Accessible from:
Grasp of Malt (£58.95)
The Whiskey Honest (£53.95)
Buffalo Hint bourbon
Greatest all rounder bourbon
With flavors and aromas of toffee, vanilla, spice, in addition to hints of leather-based and mint, this can be a good all-rounder bourbon, particularly for the value. Make it your go-to for whiskey cocktails.
Accessible from:
Grasp of Malt (£24.95)
The Bottle Membership (£24.69)
The Whiskey Honest (£26.95)
Wild Turkey Uncommon Extensive barrel resistant bourbon
Greatest barrel resistant bourbon
Manufacturers recognized for his or her standard mass-market whiskeys, reminiscent of Jack Daniels, usually have smaller premium traces which might be price in search of out. Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed barrel proof (that means it is bottled straight from the barrel with no added water) is a mix of six, eight and 12 12 months outdated bourbons. It’s intense and full, with notes of orange, mint and plenty of spice. Scrumptious pure or in a julep with sugar syrup, recent mint leaves and crushed ice.
Accessible from:
The Whiskey Honest (£55.25)
Amazon (£53.99)
The Bottle Membership (£53.49)
Frey Ranch bourbon
Greatest for citrus notes
Frey Ranch is a real grain-to-glass operation. The distillery grows all the grain used to make its whiskey on its 165-year-old Nevada farm – a apply that’s nonetheless comparatively unusual in whiskey making. This pure bourbon is aged for 5 years, with noticeable citrus flavors, in addition to caramel, vanilla and banana.
Accessible from:
The Whiskey Honest (£54.95)
4 Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Greatest single barrel bourbon
A powerful single-barrel bourbon, clean, spherical and sophisticated with butterscotch, aromatic wooden and cocoa aromas, delicate cherry flavors on the palate and good size.
Accessible from:
The Whiskey Honest (£44.95)
Amazon (£44.95)
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream bourbon
Greatest traditional bourbon
This one, from California, has traditional bourbon flavors of vanilla, oak and caramel that transition on the palate into deep flavors of toasted nuts, toasted oak and peppery spice.
Accessible from:
Grasp of Malt (£47.99)
The Whiskey Honest (£49.75)
Amazon (£48)
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Greatest simple sipper
This African-American owned Tennessee whiskey model was based to honor the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Inexperienced, the primary African-American grasp distiller and a pioneer of American whiskey (he taught his distilling methods to Jack Daniels). Created by Inexperienced’s great-great-granddaughter, Victoria Eady Butler, this mix is a clean and delicate whiskey, simple to drink, with notes of vanilla, brown sugar, oak and baking spices.
Accessible from:
Grasp of Malt (£57.94)
Amazon (£55.04)
The Whiskey Honest (£57.95)
Ezra Brooks Kentucky pure bourbon
Bourbon at the perfect value
An amazing worth straight bourbon, that is a simple affair with acquainted flavours: huge, clean butterscotch and vanilla, with hints of chocolate and a clean, clean texture. Strive it in cocktails.
Accessible from:
Ocado (£29)
Grasp of Malt (£25.94)
Yellowstone Choose Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Greatest blended bourbon
A mix of four- and seven-year-old bourbons, this one has creamy vanilla and caramel, hints of peppery spice and delicate smokiness.
Accessible from:
Ocado (£52)
Amazon (£52)
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