Walking into a liquor store and picking out a bottle of whiskey can seem like a daunting process. Whether it's bourbon or any other type of whiskey, there are years of work and centuries of history behind each bottle. So try out a few different types of each spirit and see which one you like the best! The legal requirements for whiskey to be called Tennessee Whiskey are that the whiskey should be: This is the process by which Jack Daniel's is manufactured. They may spell the word 'whiskey' differently, but they're all whiskey," says Gustafson. Japan excels in creating balanced and drinkable whiskies that taste great alone and in highballs or cocktails.

The flavor of gin can vary significantly depending on the type of botanicals that are used. "I think Scotch is much more of an acquired taste than bourbons," Gustafson says. Bourbon is by far the most popular variety of American whiskey. You might just find your new favorite spirits. Nearly all bourbon distillers in the U.S. use American white oak barrels because the wood is sturdy enough for aging up to 12 years, but porous enough to help filter and age the spirit to ensure quality. Gin typically has a higher alcohol content than bourbon. Shake well and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. This means rye whiskies tend to be less sweet than bourbon, and are generally said to have more of a spicy or fruity flavor. Give them both a try and see which you like the best! Scotch is aged for a minimum of three years in second-use barrels, usually left over from aging bourbon or brandy. It's written by Tessa Sobrino, a passionate drinker who loves exploring the world of mixology to find new cocktail recipes for you to try at home. But again, its up to your personal preferences. Gin also has a more pronounced flavor than bourbon, which is often described as being smooth.. < >. Type of distilled alcoholic beverage made in US (as per the international agreement). The mash needs to be primarily composed of malted barley. One unique style of Irish whiskey is single pot still, a distilling method in which malted barley and raw, unmalted barley are combined, along with other grains in the mash. "It isn't aged for as long as Scotch" which is another type of whiskey "so it gets most of its flavor from the grains used.". Bourbon is amber colored, and a little sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys. That's right bourbon is a type of whiskey. Of course, bourbon isn't the only type of whiskey. Exported straight bourbon only needs to indicate it is bourbon. If you read this far, you should follow us: "Bourbon vs Whiskey." "Bourbon is whiskey. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it originated. Bourbon is distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume), and nothing can be added during the distillation process (for flavoring or coloring). Some gins are flavored with citrus fruits, while others are flavored with spices like cardamom or cinnamon. Irish whiskies don't command quite as much attention as whiskies from the United States or Scotland, but they can definitely hold their own. One of the most common distinctions talked about with whiskies is between "single-malt" and "blended" whiskies. Stir well and garnish with a mint sprig. Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg/Getty Images, Many drinkers think that bourbon and whiskey are completely distinct. Gin is typically described as a dry, juniper-forward spirit with herbal and citrus notes. Ireland is the ancestral home of whiskey. or 'I don't really like whiskey, but I like bourbon,'" Gustafson says. There are a variety of different methods utilized in the production of Irish whiskies, but overall they are known for their more accessible flavor profile than their Scottish counterparts. Gin is a type of vodka that is distilled with juniper berries and other botanicals.

If youre looking for a new spirit to try, gin and bourbon are both great options. Although next to impossible to find the best is Pappy Van Winkle. Somewhat like champagne isn't champagne unless it's made in Champagne, France, Bourbon is not actually "Bourbon" if it is made outside the USA, even though other whiskeys may adhere to the same recipe and distillation guidelines. Other grains that can be used in bourbon include rye, wheat, and malted barley. For example, distilleries use peat smoke to dry the malted barley, which gives the finished Scotch a smoky, earthy flavor. "People will come into the whiskey room and say something to the effect of 'Do you have bourbon too? However, to instill smoothness and improve quality, most bourbon is aged for at least four years. He is also a lifelong musician who has written music reviews, feature stories, and album descriptions for artists and record labels. They're all whiskies. Edit or create new comparisons in your area of expertise. In a Japanese whiskey malted barley is dried in kilns fired with a little peat. In a julep cup or highball glass with cracked ice, combine 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz simple syrup, 3 sprigs of mint, and a squeeze of lime. Japanese whiskey has exploded in popularity in the last 10 years. Gin, on the other hand, is often enjoyed in cocktails. Yes! Rye whiskies use a minimum of 51% rye grain in their mash, while bourbon requires the mash bill to contain a majority of corn. Because they can't be reused, the barrels are often sold to distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and Japan, and are even used to age other beverages like beer. Several cocktails combine gin and bourbon. And remember, bourbon, Scotch, and rye are all types of whiskey and they're all delicious. To maintain standards across the industry, there is a strict legal definition of what actually constitutes a bourbon: Note: Bourbon must be legally aged with new barrels. Typically white oak barrels. Do any cocktails recipes mix both Gin and Bourbon? Find out what flavors they have and which one tastes best! Happy Fizzy Hour is a blog about cocktails, wine and other tasty drinks. To help demystify the relationship between bourbon and other whiskies, we spoke with rare whiskey collector and founder of the Anthology Whiskey Room, David Gustafson. Know your wine: A beginner's guide to the most common types of wine, 10 common beer styles all drinkers should try, from pilsners to porters, How to make a Manhattan and all its variations, How to make the perfect martini and customize it to your taste. Personally if I could only drink one Bourbon the rest of my life it would be Colonel Happy Fizzy Hour features creative recipes from bartenders in different cities around the world, as well as plenty of tips on how to make your own happy hour-appropriate concoctions at home. Blending whiskey produces a more consistent spirit from batch to batch. In the video below, Rebecca Dunphy of Sniff and Spit discusses how one can differentiate between Scotch, Irish, and Bourbon whiskeys, just by sniffing them. Every region and style has unique recipes along with its own fermenting, distilling, and aging standards that ultimately lead to notably distinct flavor profiles. Bourbon is the most popular type of whiskey in the United States. Unlike other liquors, there are no aging requirements for bourbon. Dylan is a freelance writer who specializes in cocktails, spirits, and coffee. He is a long-time coffee and hospitality professional who has hands-on experience as a barista, tending bar, opening cafes, and working in specialty coffee distribution in Los Angeles. "There's a common confusion about what they are. Because of its historical and geographical significance, there are strict legal guidelines in place to maintain quality standards and ensure that each type of whiskey maintains its unique attributes. Other whiskey producers in the state, including UK-based Diageo that owns Tennessee's No. Bourbon is a great spirit to drink neat or on the rocks, as its sweet and caramel-like flavors shine that way. bourbon must be 51 percent made of corn only water can be added , alcohol content must not exceen to more tan 80 percent , must come from the US and must be aged in new charred casks made from american white oak Makers is a solid wheated Bourbon but far from the best. Or just whiskey?' Scotches are often classified by which region they are distilled in. Unpeated malt is almost always used in an Irish whiskey. Bourbon barrels are charred before the aging process begins. So if youre looking for something new to add to your rotation, give gin or bourbon a try!

These are just some of the differences between these two types of alcohol, but which one should you drink? Barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn. The main difference between gin and bourbon is that gin is distilled from a mixture of grains, while bourbon is distilled from corn. Like bourbon, there are strict requirements for a whiskey to be considered a Scotch. The most notable distinction between Irish whiskies and others is that all Irish whiskies have to be fermented, distilled, and aged on the island of Ireland. However, both gin and bourbon are popular spirits for a reason they both offer great flavor profiles that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. While there are many different types of bourbon, the most common is straight bourbon, which is made from a mash of at least 51% corn. Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from grains like corn and rye and aged in wooden barrels. Bourbon is a type of whiskey, and there are strict rules in place to ensure its quality. New, Charred Oak Containers. The company is the largest whiskey producer in Tennessee and wields an outsize influence on liquor laws in the state; they lobbied the state legislature to create such stringent requirements for labeling Tennessee Whiskey. Scotch can display a wide variety of different flavor notes. I thought Bourbon could only come out of KY, In order to have the title of Bourbon it had to be produced in Kentucky. Gin is made by distilling a fermented mash of grain and botanical ingredients. ", Because of its cultural significance in the United States, bourbon is made with very specific criteria to ensure it maintains the qualities that make it unique. But you might not have thought much about what it actually is. Bourbon tends to be amber-colored, and a little sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys. But what is it that makes bourbon such an enduring and desirable beverage? Bourbon is closely associated with the American South, most notably Kentucky. Type of distilled alcoholic beverage made in other parts of the world. Its botanical flavors can be enhanced with complementary ingredients like citrus juice or herbs. It must also be at least 80 proof (40% ABV). Thats a tough question to answer, as everyones tastes are different. Scotch is whiskey. Eh Taylor Jr. For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, it starts with the mash, which has to have a 51-79% corn base, with the other grains being barley and wheat or rye, depending on the distiller's preference. When not writing or enjoying a cocktail, Dylan spends his free time reading obsessively and cooking for himself and his partner. Bourbon must be made in the US, distilled from at least 51% corn, and aged in new oak-charred barrels. There aren't such strict regulations on production in Japan, so any whiskey made in the country falls under the category of Japanese whiskey. Historians can trace its origins back to Ireland, where there is evidence of it being distilled in the early 15th century. Typically malted barley, rye, and wheat make up the balance. Most importantly, it must be fermented, distilled, and aged in Scotland. But many excellent whiskies can be found in both categories. Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn. Understanding the nuances and differences between each style can help you find the whiskey that best suits your taste and your intended serving style. Gin is better for cocktails, while bourbon is better for sipping neat or on the rocks. Whiskies are blended in order to maintain a more consistent product, while single-malts allow distilleries to get more of the unique attributes of specific whiskies to shine through. Diffen.com. Japan may not have the same lengthy history in whiskey production as Ireland or Scotland, but they have quickly made a name for themselves. Both of these spirits are versatile enough to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. There are many myths and legends about the origins of bourbon, but it's believed that whiskey has been distilled in the United States since the late 18th century. 22 Jul 2022. Simply put, whiskey is a distilled spirit made from fermented grains and then aged in wooden barrels. On top of common flavors like caramel and vanilla, Scotch can display unique and sometimes challenging medicinal flavors. Gin is a type of distilled alcoholic drink, usually made from grain or malt that has been steeped in juniper berry-flavored water and then mixed with other flavorings, including the citrus peel. Most people who enjoy the occasional libation have encountered whiskey at some point in their lives. Bourbon is also made by distilling a fermented mash of grain, but the most important difference between bourbon and other types of whiskey is that bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn. Web. If you like Makers you should certainly try Larceny it's on par with Makers 46 and about $10 less a bottle. It is often enjoyed on its own, or as part of popular cocktails such as the old fashioned, mint julep, and the Manhattan. A blended whiskey is taken from a variety of distilleries and combined. Bourbon is characteristically sweet and caramel-like with vanilla and toffee flavors. Vincent20044/Getty Images. So if youre looking for something new to try, give gin and bourbon a shot! Bourbon is a liquor distilled from fermented grain mashed from at least 51 percent corn, aged in new white oak barrels for at least two years.