Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is made primarily from corn. It has an oaky flavor and there are many different brands on the market. When people talk about bourbon, they might be referring to one of these four types: Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Tennessee Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, or American Whiskey. The term “bourbon” can also refer to any distilled drink made in America, including rye, wheat, and malt whiskies and corn spirits like moonshine or white dog. But what other interesting facts do you know about bourbon? You can also give 23 bourbon lover gifts to those you know who love whiskey. Keep reading!
It Must Be Aged in a Charred, New-Oak Barrel
When bourbon is distilled, you must put it into new oak barrels. It would help charred the barrel on the inside to give the whiskey its unique flavor profile. All bourbons must be aged in new oak barrels, and most are aged for at least two years. If you want to make sure that your whiskey has been put into new oak barrels, you can look for the phrase “charred new oak” on the label. This will tell you that your bourbon was aged in a fresh barrel and it should have some powerful flavors of vanilla or caramel with lots of wood notes.
The Mash Must Be at Least 51% Corn
When making bourbon, 51% of the mash must be corn. This gives bourbon its distinctive flavor profile and helps distinguish it from other types of whiskey. The additional 49% of the mash can be made up of any combination of rye, wheat, or malt. The use of corn in bourbon production also has a historical background. When settlers came to America, they found that it was hard to produce high-quality whiskey from the grains grown in their area.
It Cannot Enter the Barrel at Higher Than 125 Proof
You must put bourbon into the barrel at a lower proof than other types of whiskey. The maximum allowable proof is 125, and most bourbons are aged between 86-92 proof. When bourbon comes out of the barrel, it is typically bottled at 80-86 proof. This helps preserve the flavors that have been developed over time and makes the bourbon more palatable for drinking. If you come across a bourbon bottle labeled as “cask strength,” this means that it has not been diluted with water after it came out of the barrel. This will give you a much stronger flavor profile and it might be too intense for some people to drink straight.
These are some interesting facts about bourbon that you might not have known before. Be sure to check out your favorite brands and see how they differ in the flavor profile. You might be surprised at just how much variation there can be from one bourbon to the next! Cheers!…