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Difference between Bourbon and Whiskey

Difference between Bourbon and Whiskey

If you interested to enhance your knowledge in world of liquor and want to know about the difference between Bourbon and whiskey, we will help you in that with our given article.

It is rightly said Bourbon is Whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon. There is a variation in the taste of both the liquors. Bourbon needs to be produced in America and made from 51 percent corn, but whiskey does not. Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon country. Bourbon tends to be amber colored, and a little sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys.

To understand better, it becomes necessary to go into depth and get knowledge of both terms individually.

Bourbon

Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon country. Bourbon has no added coloring, flavor or sprits and is amber colored. Bourbon has no minimum aging period, but to call your product Straight Bourbon, a specific distinction of quality; it must be aged for no less than two years.

Bourbon is a little sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys. Bourbon is made is United States only. Grain mixture while making bourbon should include 51% of corn and must be stored in new charred oak containers. The mash must also be distilled at 160 proof or less, put into the barrel at 125 proof or less.

Whiskey

Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash. The variation in the whiskeys is because of variation of grains. Grain varieties can include wheat, rye, barley, and corn and is further aged in wooden barrels. Whiskey is made all over the world and there are many popular styles including Scotch whiskey, Irish whiskey, and American whiskey.

Whiskey differs in taste from bourbon. Whiskey can be made anywhere in the world. It can be made with any combinations of grains and that makes the variants in the cost and taste. The mash must be produced at less than 190 proof and must be bottled at 80 proof or less.

Now let’s check the differences between bourbon and whiskey.

Manufacturing

Bourbon can be made only in United States whereas whiskey can be made anywhere throughout the world.

Uniqueness

Bourbon is amber colored, and a little sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys while whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal.

Grains Used

Grain mixture while making bourbon should include 51% of corn while whiskey can be made with any combinations of grains such as Barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn.

Maturation

Bourbon is matured and stored in new charred oak containers while whiskey is matured and stored in Charred white oak.