If you’ve ever taken a sip of a sweet, spicy spirit and immediately fell head over heels, you’re not alone. This is a trademark move of bourbon whiskey, one of the most versatile, lovable, and misunderstood spirits available.

While bourbon is extremely popular, many people get confused about what it is, where it comes from, and which brands are the best ones to buy. Below, we’ve cleared up some of the myths and rounded up the most important information to help every bourbon lover find their way to the best bourbon experience.

What’s the difference between whiskey and bourbon?

The term whiskey covers a broad category of spirits made around the world. It applies to any spirit that has been distilled from a fermented grain and aged in a barrel. Depending on where the spirit is made, the type of grain and barrel aging can vary widely.

Those two factors — grain and barrel aging — determine the type of whiskey and how it tastes. For example, some can be made from a single type of grain, while others may contain a blend of different grains. Some common grains used for whiskey include barley, corn, rye, or wheat.

To be called a bourbon whiskey, the spirit must follow rules that regulators have created to guard the craft, quality, and character of this unique drink. According to the American Bourbon Association, “Bourbon must be at least 51% corn, giving it a sweet flavor. Other grains such as rye, wheat and malted barley can be added.”

In addition to the composition of the fermented grain — called the “mash bill” — a bourbon must be made in the United States, in a very specific way. This process gives the spirit its unique characteristics and flavors.

So, technically all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. To be a bourbon, the whiskey must made in the United States following a specific set of production rules. 

Bourbon’s history in the United States

Americans have been making bourbon whiskey as far back as 1821, when it was a staple of the early American economy and society. While a persistent myth claims the spirit is named for the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans, in truth we don’t know for sure.

Over the centuries, bourbon production grew alongside technology advances like column distillation stills or machine blown glass bottles. As production increased, Bourbon’s popularity continued to grow. By the 1960s, it finally started to see a decline as the market was flooded with low-quality spirits and cheap prices. However, as the American Bourbon Association notes: “This turned around with the introduction of super-premium bourbons such as single barrel and small batch brands in the 90s.”

How is bourbon made differently from other whiskey?

Laws and regulations on the production of bourbon have helped ensure the spirit maintains its integrity and flavor across the board. The rules apply to the way the spirit is made, aged, and bottled, with some additional rules if the producer wants to include specific terms on the label.

First, bourbon must be made with a minimum of 51% corn, which gives it the sweet flavor you may be familiar with. The remainder can be any other grain, such as rye, wheat, or barley. Producers use different combinations of additional grains to get sweeter, earthier, or spicier flavors – we’ll get to those later!

To make bourbon, the grain is ground up and mixed with water to form a mash. Some distilleries may combine mash from a previous distillation — called a “sour mash” — to ensure consistent flavor across different versions. Then, with the addition of yeast, the mash ferments and goes to a still for distillation to no more than 160 proof, or about 65-80% alcohol.

Next, after distillation, the clear spirit must be aged in a new oak barrel that has been charred to add flavor and color. The longer it ages, the more color and flavor it picks up. Aging in previously used barrels is not allowed, so the used barrels are often designated for other purposes in the wine or spirits industry, like aging tequila or wine.

A bourbon whiskey does not need to be aged for any specific amount of time to be called a bourbon. Once it has aged, it’s bottled at a minimum of 80 proof, or 40% abv.

You may be familiar with the term “straight bourbon whiskey”, which means the spirit has been aged for a minimum of two years.

Another term you may see on a label is “bottled in bond.” This means the bourbon was made in a single distillation process at one single distillery, and then aged in a warehouse following specific aging protocols, for at least four years.

While they may seem complex, these production rules make bourbon distinct and delicious. Thanks to strict rules, the experience of drinking bourbon is unlike any other spirit. 

Where does the best bourbon whiskey come from?

Unlike popular mythology that says bourbon must be from Kentucky, actually it can be made anywhere in the United States to earn the right to be called bourbon. However, the most common place for bourbon production is the state of Kentucky.

Why Kentucky? In addition to being one of the first historic places for bourbon, it’s said that Kentucky has the perfect warm summers and cold winters for aging bourbon the right way. In addition, the state boasts limestone that acts as a water purifier that creates smooth and delicious bourbon.

In fact, it’s claimed that 95% of the country’s bourbon is made in Kentucky, making it the so-called Bourbon Capital of the World. And indeed, many of the most important bourbon brands call Kentucky their home: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Hirsch, Jim Beam, Kentucky Owl, Maker’s Mark, Michters, Town Branch, Wild Turkey, Willett, and Woodford Reserve.

Tennessee is also a key player and the home to popular bourbon brands such as George Dickel, Heaven’s Door, Jack Daniel’s, Nelson’s, Roaming Man, Sweetens Cove, and Uncle Nearest.

Of course, great bourbon comes from other states as well, including Indiana and Utah, producing spirits with unique characteristics. 

What is the flavor profile of bourbon whiskey?

Thanks to the unique production requirements and process, bourbon definitely tastes different from other types of whiskey.

“Typically, bourbon is sweeter in style due to the high levels of corn and wheat in the blend,” says Wally’s Spirits Buyer Phillip Dunn. “You can expect characteristic notes of caramel, chocolate, and citrus, depending on the age of the spirit.”

However, since there are many bourbon producers who use different grain recipes in their production, the flavor profiles can vary widely.

According to Dunn, bourbons with a higher amount of wheat in the mash bill (called wheated bourbons) tend to be sweeter, with notes of caramel, vanilla, or butterscotch. Some great examples of wheated bourbons include Pappy Van Winkle and Weller.

Other bourbons may taste hot and spicy, especially if they have a higher alcohol content or more rye grain. Cinnamon or nutmeg may be the overarching notes in these.

On the other hand, some bourbons with a higher rye content can taste less sweet and more earthy, such as producer Elijah Craig. 

How to pick the best bourbon whiskey

When you’re looking to expand your palate, it can be helpful to try a variety of bourbon whiskey brands and styles to see what you love the most. You can expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $75, with prices depending on the age, the distillery, and more.

Dunn recommends exploring some high-quality bourbon brands to see what flavors and styles speak to you most. His top picks for daily sipping and cocktails include:

• Knob Creek 12 Year
  
• Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond
  
• Evan Williams White Label Bottled in Bond
  
• Eagle Rare 10 Year

If you’re looking to find a great option to sip neat, try one of these top shelf bourbon brands Dunn suggests:

• Pappy Van Winkle
• W.L. Weller Full Proof
  
• Old Fitzgerald
• Buffalo Trace OFC

What’s the best way to enjoy a great bourbon?

Once you’ve picked out a bourbon to try, there are a few ways to go about drinking it.

Sip it neat

Drinking a bourbon neat means you’re enjoying the spirit on its own, undiluted. The best way to do this is by using a curved glass, such as the famous Glencairn Scotch glass which has a tapered top. This shape concentrates the aromas near the top of the glass to enjoy while you’re sipping.

Drink it straight

Drinking a spirit straight means it’s been slightly diluted with a bit of water, which is perfectly acceptable here. Adding a drop of water or shaking it over ice can take off some of the spice and bring out the sweeter notes in the bourbon.

On the rocks

Another way to slightly dilute your bourbon and bring out sweet notes can be pouring it over a few cubes of ice. It’s better to use large, solid cubes that won’t melt quickly and dilute the bourbon too much.

In a cocktail

With a range of flavors, bourbon makes a great foundation or addition to a cocktail. Some classic bourbon cocktails include the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, and Mint Julep. You can also find some fun, modern twists to bring out the flavors of a good bourbon.

For example, Wally’s spicy Brother’s Bond Old Fashioned incorporates ancho chili liqueur and cardamom to kick up the spicy notes. Dunn also recommends the popular Paper Plane cocktail, a delicious blend of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice.

With food

The flavors in bourbon whiskey make it a great aperitif to drink on its own. Dunn notes that when sipped neat, it tastes great with red meat such as steak tartare or a burger, and pairs nicely with a rich stone fruit dessert.

Ready to try some amazing bourbon whiskey? Browse Wally’s collection of great bourbon brands online, or stop by our stores to speak to an expert.