

On the other hand, whiskey could go through cold filtering to get rid of contaminants and give it a smoother texture. Filtrationīecause bourbon is frequently non-chill filtered, some of the fatty acids and congeners that give it taste and mouthfeel are still present. This distinction contributes to the unique character and taste profiles of bourbon and whiskey. Whiskey can also be aged in a variety of different barrels, including used oak barrels. However, many whiskeys are aged and matured for extended periods to develop complex flavors and aromas. This aging process imparts distinctive flavors and colors to the spirit.īourbon ages for a minimum of 2 years in the United States, while there is no specific aging requirement for whiskey. Aging Processīourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. No Additives: No added colorings, flavorings, or additives.Ĭonversely, whiskey is not subject to the same stringent regulatory restrictions and may be produced using a wider variety of techniques.Bottling Strength: Minimum 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume).Aging: In new, charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years (four years for “straight bourbon”).Distillation: No more than 160 proof for distillation and no more than 125 proof for aging.

To be called bourbon, it has to fulfill a number of requirements, namely: The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits has developed a legal definition for bourbon in the United States.

Bourbon vs Whiskey: Every Significant Difference You Need To Know Legal Definition On the other hand, whiskey can be produced from various grains, including corn, barley, rye, and wheat, without any specific grain percentage requirement. The remaining grains can include malted barley, rye, or wheat. One fundamental criterion is that bourbon must be made in the United States, as defined by the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits.Īdditionally, bourbon must be made from a grain mixture that consists of at least 51% corn and is aged in new charred oak barrels. The stringent production regulations for bourbon are what distinguish it the most. While all bourbons are whiskey, not all whiskeys are bourbon. When it comes to differentiating bourbon from whiskey, the most crucial distinction lies in their production process. The #1 Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey It’s a specific type of whiskey with its own specific characteristics and requirements.Īnd in this post, we’ll give you the run-down of the specifics and their implications on flavor so you can get a better feel for which type of whiskeys you’re most likely to enjoy.

Think of whiskey as the tree itself with various branches, each of which represents a particular type of whiskey-bourbon, scotch, rye, etc.Īnd that means…yes, bourbon is whiskey…but not all whiskey is bourbon.īourbon is a branch of the whiskey tree. Comparing whiskeys and bourbon is like comparing different branches on a large tree.
