Is it Bourbon? Or Whiskey? Or Whisky?

My first taste of whiskey was my Grandfather’s bourbon. He let me take a drink from his glass and at 10 or 12 years old. I didn’t know much about the brown spirit over ice, except it burned a little going down and warmed my belly – and I slept really good that night!

I later learned it wasn’t truly bourbon that Grandpa so often enjoyed, it was whisky – not whiskey. I so wish I could have a drink with him today and share all the great full flavors of true bourbons I’m learning about, I think he would have enjoyed that!

Whisky simply is the spelling that Canada, Scotland and Japan use for their distilled alcoholic product which is fermented grain mash. They use a variety of grains like corn, rye, barley, and wheat and are often aged in charred white oak barrels.

Now first of all, I admit I love Crown Royal, (don’t judge!), but it isn’t bourbon; it’s a whisky. Neat or on ice it’s very enjoyable! A true bourbon has much more flavor and complex notes.

Second, so what makes it a whiskey or a bourbon?

Whiskey is distilled in Ireland or America. So, the argument of spelling goes back to location? Kind of, whether the translation and dialect over time divided the two spellings in two distinct products, regions and spelling remains a bit of an argument today.

Whiskey is also a grain mash, and it is made with that regions (or state) local product and fermented in charred oak barrels for at least 3 years. Each region has strict rules to follow to assure the product stays true to its origin.

Bourbon is an American product. The spirit must have at least 51% corn and distilled no higher than 160 proof and barreled in new charred oak barrels at 125 proof. No additives, (does that make it healthier? Hmmm!) And the age that it is fermented varies, Kentucky for example it must age for a minimum of 1 year to be called straight bourbon.

Exploring the differences between bourbon, whisky and whiskey can seem complicated at times, like when founder William Samuels uses ‘whisky’ on Maker’s Mark label only to acknowledge their Scottish homage, even though it is a Kentucky bourbon. (And a very good one in my opinion!) But let’s not overthink the spelling and get into what makes each brown drink special!

Stick with me and we will go into the different types of whiskeys in the next post. This is a journey and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

Cheers!

 Patio