2007-01-30 03:57:44 · 6 answers · asked by pghdelta04 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
Bourbon is a kind of whiskey.
More details...
http://www.straightbourbon.com/faq.html
2007-01-30 20:40:11 · answer #1 · answered by Trid 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Bourbon is an American form of whiskey made from (pursuant to U.S. law) at least 51% corn, or maize — typically about 70% — with the remainder being wheat and/or rye, and malted barley. It is distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof, and aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years. The two years maturation process is not a legal requirement for a whiskey to be called "bourbon," but it is a legal requirement for "straight bourbon." However, in practice, most bourbon whiskeys are aged for at least four years.
Today all but a few brands are made in Kentucky, and the drink is associated strongly with that state. So strongly has Bourbon come to be associated with Kentucky that many people mistakenly believe it can only be made there. However, Illinois once produced nearly as much Bourbon Whiskey as Kentucky and Bourbon continues to be made in Virginia. In the past, Bourbon has been made in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas and probably other states too.
2007-01-30 12:27:39 · answer #2 · answered by devilben 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The user above me is correct. All bourbons are whiskeys but not all whiskeys are bourbons. And all Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys are bourbons and whiskeys but not vice versa... you get the point. But here are the requirements which seperate a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from a Bourbon Whiskey from a Whiskey
Here are the federal requirements for a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, bourbon whiskey and whiskey (not a fed requirement)
A Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
mash bill of at least 51% corn
at least a 15% backset stillage
distilled at no more than 160 proof
barrelled at no more than 125 proof
barreled in new white oak charred barrels with a poplar bung
aged for a minimum of 2 yrs in those barrels
aged for at least a yr and a day in Kentucky (for 2 yrs taxes)
nothing can be added to adulterate the flavor which means only water can be added to cut the proof
this has to be made in Ky and stay in KY for the yr and a day. Afterwords it can be sent anywhere else in the us for the remainder of the aging.
Bourbon Whiskey
mash bill of at least 51% corn
distilled at no higher than 160 proof
barreled in new white oak charred barrels with a poplar bung
aged for a minimum of 2 yrs in those barrels
nothing can be added to adulterate the flavor which means only water can be added to cut the proof
this can be made anywhere in the US although 95% of bourbon is made in KY (Virginia Gentlemen is an example of a non-KY bourbon)
Whiskey
distilled no less than ~80 proof (for a light whiskey) and no more than like 160 or 180 proof (for a dark whiskey).--not 100% sure about their distillation
Aged in barrels (new or old barrels for varying amounts of time).
this can be made virtually anywhere in the world
KY straight bourbon whiskey- must be made and at least partially aged in KY
Bourbon whiskey- made anywhere in US (95% of all bourbon is made in KY)
Whiskey- made virtually anywhere in the world
The yeast culturing is very similar.
The mash bills vary somewhat. Generally bourbon has a mash bill of corn, rye (wheat or some other flavored grain), and barley malt. Where whiskeys have a far greater variety of ingredients and recipes might be rye and peated barley, or corn and barley malt.
Distillation for bourbon is simpler than for whiskey. Typically bourbon involves a primary column still (for initial refinement and removal of stillage/grains) followed by a pot still (for further removal of congeners and other impurities as well as further increasing of alcohol proof). I believe woodford Reserve uses three progressively smaller pot stills. Where Whiskey... im really not familiar with that distillation process but from what i understand it is more complicated
Barrels. Bourbon uses only new barrels.. then most of those distilleries sell those used barrels to whiskey distilleries and they use them (or those whiskey distilleries buy new ones or reuse their old ones). Whiskey is aged in new or used barrels.
Aging warehouses are generally the same (Four Roses bourbon has single story warehouses). Multistory warehouses. 5-7 stories high.
Bourbon can only be mingled/mixed which is where you mix several barrel flavors together and cut the proof with water. Whiskey can be blended which is where u take any aged whiskey, a neutral grain alcohol (180 proof and up), blending wine, and caramel (for coloring) and blend it all together to get a blended whiskey. Typically Canadian Whiskeys are blended (IE: Crown Royal)
Bourbon can have nothing to adulterate the flavor. Only water to cut the proof. Whiskey can have virtually any additives (including vodka) to achieve the desired flavor
Thats all i can think of for now. If i can remember anything more I'll add it later
More notes.... the name bourbon originated from a french family of the name Bourbon. It was also the name of a river port in KY on the KY river. It was originally used for transporting bourbon, whiskey, and other goods along the Ky river.
Bourbon County in Kentucky used to be much larger and consisted of most of the counties which currently have operational distilleries. Modern day Bourbon County (KY) is much smaller, dry (no alcohol sales), and has no distilleries
2007-02-02 12:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by chawdaddy02 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bourbon is whiskey that is made in kentucky. thats it
2007-01-30 12:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by mitchell 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Bourbon is named after a mans last name.The process is the same for both.
2007-01-30 12:42:00 · answer #5 · answered by Ernest B 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
burbon is a more filtered, longer aged whisky, but i still like whiskey better.
2007-01-30 13:49:28 · answer #6 · answered by forgetforlornforeverforgive 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋