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Whiskey is made all across the world, and across America, too. But within the broad umbrella of this spirits category, many varieties exist. It may be confusing to keep track of them all, but here’s the headline when it comes to bourbon: Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, made with at least 51% corn. Remember that, and everything else falls into place. “Bourbon drinkers are fond of saying, ‘All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon,’” says Heather Wibbels, managing director of Bourbon Women, a female-centered, consumer-based bourbon organization. You May Also Like: The Differences Between Bourbon and Scotch, Explained “Bourbon is America’s take on whiskey that came over with the original colonists and immigrants from Europe,” Wibbels adds, noting in particular settlers from Ireland and France, where whiskey and brandy respectively have deep roots. “People arriving in America brought their distilling traditions with them and adapted them to the grains and materials at hand to create a new kind of whiskey,” Wibbels continues. “Corn thrived in the U.S. more than rye and barley, so the colonists and early immigrants pivoted toward it as a base for their whiskies.” Today, bourbon—America’s native whiskey—remains one of the most popular spirits categories. But it’s far from the only whiskey out there. So, How Is Bourbon Different From Whiskey? The key differences include: The location: Bourbon needs to be made in the U.S. That means that everything—the mashing, distilling and aging—must be conducted on American soil. Whiskey/whisky, more broadly, can be made anywhere. That said, certain types of whiskey do have geographical limitations, such as Canadian whisky (made in Canada), Irish whiskey (Ireland), Japanese whisky (Japan) and Scotch whisky (Scotland). In addition, not all American whiskeys are bourbon. Think rye, Tennessee whiskey, American single malts, etc. You May Also Like: The Best Bourbons for Sipping The mash bill: Bourbon is made with at least 51% corn. The remaining grains in the mix can range widely. High-rye bourbons contain a high concentration of rye grain, while wheated bourbons contain a high concentration of wheat. Other bourbons might include oats, barley or rice-based varieties. Some are 100% corn. Whiskey is a broader category, and the grains will vary depending on the type of whiskey. For example, Scotch whiskey is made from malted (germinated) barley, while American rye whiskey contains at least 51% rye grain. (Rye made elsewhere may vary, but should contain a significant percentage of rye grain.) The barrel: To be called bourbon, the whiskey must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Whiskeys from other regions may have different rules about the vessels. Most allow for used oak barrels—and used bourbon barrels often are used for aging other spirits, including non-bourbon whiskeys. 4 Top-Rated Bourbons to Try, $50 and Below 5 Top-Rated Whiskeys That Aren’t Bourbon to Try, $50 and Below FAQs Does Bourbon Need to Come from Kentucky? No. Kentucky is considered the spiritual home of bourbon, but the spirit can be made in any U.S. state. In addition to Kentucky, a significant amount of bourbon also is produced in neighboring Indiana, in an industrial facility known as MGP, which supplies bourbon (and other spirits) to distilleries nationwide. A large number of craft distilleries also make bourbon. “As the craft bourbon movement has grown in the U.S., our expectations of what an American whiskey should taste like are being challenged and broadened in exciting ways,” Wibbels says. This has translated to a growing number of West Coast bourbons, Texas bourbons and more regional options—often with their own nuances. “Every country or region’s whiskey has its own terroir and profile, and bourbon is no different,” Wibbels insists. “It’s an exciting time to be a whiskey drinker!” Which Bourbons Are Made in Kentucky? Although bourbon doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky, 95% of all bourbons are, according to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Well-known bourbon producers from the state include Bulleit, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve. What Type of Whiskey Is Pappy Van Winkle? The Kentucky-based brand, previously made by Stitzel-Weller Distillery and taken over by Buffalo Trace in 2002, is best known for rare and sought-after “unicorn” bourbons. The lineup also includes rye whiskey. Read more about the cult of Pappy here. Does Bourbon Taste Different from Other Types of Whiskey? The high percentage of corn; aging time in new barrels with plenty of vanilla and spice to contribute; and exposure to barrel char are among the components that give bourbon its bold, distinctive flavor, experts say. You May Also Like: How to Taste Whiskey “Some people say that bourbon tastes sweeter than, say, a whiskey made from barley,” says Pip Hanson, Beverage Director of O’Shaughnessy Distilling/Keeper’s Heart Whiskey, which includes bourbon among their whiskey offerings. “However, I've always felt that the intense char of the oak barrels provides a bitter—in a good way!—backbone to the flavor of bourbon that balances out the vanilla and honey.” Further, the process of charring barrels intended for bourbon caramelizes the wood, Hanson adds, creating “a rich depth, with diverse notes like vanilla, honey, tobacco and even charcoal existing in harmony.” Thanks to these production details, “no other whiskey tastes like it.” Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated that Buffalo Trace was owned by Heaven Hill; it does not. The Sazerac Company owns Buffalo Trace. In the shop Hyde Unbreakable Old Fashioned Glass In Stock | $36 Shop Now

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