What is the difference between whisky, whiskey and bourbon?

Answer 1

Whiskey and whisky for all intensive purposes are the same.
The only difference is in spelling and where/to whom is is marketed. Whiskey is the proper American terminology (IE: Jack Daniel's whiskey). A bourbon is a whiskey, but a whiskey isn't neccessarily a bourbon. A bourbon whiskey must be made in the US (95% of bourbon is made in KY. This is a common misconception that it must be made in KY to be a bourbon. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US), must have a mash bill (grain recipe) of at least a 51% corn (no max but some sort of barley is generally used because of its enzyme that converts starch into sugar), distilled at no more than 160 proof (80%alcohol), then aged for at least 2 yrs in new white oak charred barrels with a poplar bung. When entering those barrels it must be no more than 125 proof. When it comes out of the barrel, nothing can be added to it to adulterate the flavor (so only water can be added to cut the proof from barrel proof to typically ~80-100proof). To be a Kentucky Bourbon, there are a few more requirements but those are the federal requirements of what it takes to be a bourbon whiskey. There are a ton of different Whiskies. There are Bourbon Whiskies (typically made in KY, but must be made in US), Irish Whiskies (made in Ireland), Scotch Whiskies (Johny Walker-Scottland), Canadian Whiskies (Crown Royal, Seagrams- typically blended), and quite a few more.
Whiskies can be blended but bourbons can only be mixed or mingled. Blending an alcohol includes taking a neutral grain alcohol (180 proof and up), any aged whiskey, caramel for coloring, and a blending wine. Good examples of blended whiskies are Crown Royal. Mixing or mingling is a bourbon specific term where it involves mixing several barrels of bourbon together, then cutting the proof with water.
In essence, Bourbons are barrel whiskey with their proof cut. Whiskies are in essence bourbon mixed with other things (vodka, sugar, caramel, etc. to get a desired color).

Answer 2

For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the law--by international agreement--stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. (Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.) The barrels for aging can be made of any kind of new oak, charred on the inside. Nowadays all distillers use American White Oak, because it is porous enough to help the bourbon age well, but not so porous that it will allow barrels to leak. It must be distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor or sweetness or alter color. The other grains used to make bourbon, though not stipulated by law, are malted barley and either rye or wheat. Some Kentucky bourbon makers claim that the same limestone spring water that makes thoroughbred horses' bones strong gives bourbon whiskey its distinctive flavor. Kind of like that "it's the water" thing with Olympia beer.

Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S., but all but a couple of brands are made in Kentucky. Only the state of Kentucky can produce bourbon with its name on the label. The name comes from Bourbon county in the central bluegrass region of Kentucky. This county was named in 1785 to honor the French royal family and was once the major transshipment site for shipping distilled spirits down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Barrels shipped from there were stamped with the county's name, which then became the name of this kind of whiskey. Interestingly, there are no distillers in Bourbon county, Kentucky right now
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Answer 3

Just to specify
Whiskey is the Irish and american way of spelling the drink.
Irish whiskey is triple distilled and matured at least 8 years
American and Canadian whiskey is distilled twice and often the mash is a mix of corn and grain. Canadians call this rye whiskey, Americans don't specify.
Whisky is scotch distilled twice and matured for 6 years
Bourbon is an american kind of whiskey consisting of a mix of grain and corn single distilled and filtered through charcoal to give a crude taste.
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Answer 4

Whisky is a drink. Whiskey is a small dog. Bourbon is a biscuit for the dog.

Answer 5

Whisky is Scottish, Whiskey is Irish, and Bourbon is American.

Answer 6

Bourbon is a much more refined whisky and tastes much smoother. There is no difference between whisky and whiskey except the way they are spelt. I believe that the UK spell it whisky and that Ireland and America spell it whiskey.

Answer 7

Whiskey is Irish,
Whisky is Scotish,
and Bourbon is a yummy biscuit

Answer 8

Whiskey is the American spelling, and whisky is the British spelling for grain spirits distilled from wheat or sometimes rye.

Bourbon is a variety of whiskey, distilled from corn.

Answer 9

Whisky is Irish ,whiskey is Scottish ,and Bourbon is American.

Answer 10

bourbon is a blend of many different whiskeys....i think.