For those who don’t know, a bourbon is a form of whiskey in the United States. It’s refined from a mash primarily made of corn. One great example of this is WL Weller special reserve. This type of whiskey stays a mystery to a lot of people, despite its popularity.

Thus, how can you differentiate bourbon from other whiskeys? Are there other things that you should know?

Bourbon is Great for Cocktails

In a lot of cocktail recipes, bourbon is the featured spirit. This includes mint julep, old fashion, and much more. There are a lot of great cocktails that use the special flavor profile of bourbon.

It Has Diverse Flavor Profile

Though law directs that no color or flavoring additives might be added to bourbon, it still has a diverse profile of flavor. Usually, it is characterized by spice, caramel, oak, and vanilla. Of course, the ideal way to know the flavor of bourbon is to taste it yourself.

What’s Bottled-in-Bond?

For those who don’t know, bottled-in-bond is associated with the US-made distilled drink that follows the legal requirements laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. According to the act, the spirit should be a product of a single distilling season from a single distillery. It should also be bottled at 100 proof. Furthermore, the spirit should be aged for at least 4 years in a warehouse that is bonded federally.

No Aging Requirement

Though the rules state that bourbon should be stored in charred oak barrels, there is really no requirement for aging. But, bourbon that has been aged less than 4 years should state the age on the bottle. The bourbon should also have been aged for 2 years for it to be called “straight bourbon”.

Where Does the Name Come from?

Up until now, nobody still knows where the name bourbon came from. But, the most prominent contenders are Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Bourbon County in Kentucky. These locations took the name from the House of Bourbon. It’s a royal house in Europe with a French origin.

What Brand is the Best?

Because bourbon has different storied heritage and various flavors, it is usually best for exploring. This means that it’s best to try every type of bourbon you can find. However, it can be a bit hard to know where to begin since there are a lot of brands out there.

Difference between Whiskey and Bourbon

The mash of whiskey should contain at least 51% corn for it to be called bourbon. The mash should be distilled at less than 160 proof. It shouldn’t include any additives. Finally, the result should be stored in charred new oak barrels at less than 125 proof.

Bourbon Can’t Be Made Outside of the United States

According to the federal standards, the word bourbon shouldn’t be utilized to define any whiskey or whiskey-based spirits that are not manufactured in the US. According to the federal standards, Bourbon is a distinctive product of the US. Thus, it can’t be made outside of the country.