What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is a liquor which is made of at least 51% corn, distilled at no greater than 160 proof and aged in new charred oak barrels, and to which no flavoring or coloring is added. Please note that it does not say that it must be make in Kentucky, use American Oak, or aged for any specific length of time. More>>

PAPPY VAN WINKLE FAMILY RESERVE
Van Winkle

This is the #1 Rated Bourbon Whiskey in the World

The 'Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve' is aged an unheard of 20 years, and bottled at 90.4 proof. This whiskey is wonderfully smooth and rich. No other bourbon today can stand 20 years of aging, but this bourbon does it with style.

ELIJAH CRAIG 12 YEARS OLD, 47%
Heaven Hill

DESCRIPTION: Perfume and clover honey fill the nose. This is deep and rich in structure. Well-integrated elements combine with a high alcohol feel. Still perfumed at the end. Best served neat.

BLANTON'S SINGLE-BARREL BOURBON
Buffalo Trace

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is expertly crafted in a unique time-honored tradition. Blanton’s was the first Single Barrel Bourbon, setting the standard for others to follow. It is aged in one barrel, and unlike most others, never blended with any other bourbon.

BOOKER'S BOURBON, 63.2%
Jim Beam

In 1988, Booker Noe introduced his own signature bourbon, Booker's True Barrel Bourbon. Inspired by a 200 year-old tradition, Master Distiller Emeritus Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam, created his very own bourbon. Unlike anything you have ever tasted, Booker's is the only bourbon bottled straight-from-the-barrel -- uncut and unfiltered -- a true connoisseur's sipping bourbon.

MAKER'S MARK BOURBON, 45%
Heaven Hill

Nose: "Apricots, toffee and sandalwood. Fresh and minty." Grant Rampage
Palate: "Sweet toffee, roasted coffee beans, nuttiness." Martine Nouet
Finish: "Long-lasting richness and sweetness. Spicy finish." David Stewart

What is Bourbon continued...

All whiskey is sour-mashed, beit Bourbon, Tennesse Whiskey or Blended Whiskey. Since 1984, a new breed of bourbon has emerged; the Single Barrel.

The name describes it perfectly. This bourbon comes from a single barrel, which is usually aged for an extended period of time. This allows for the individuality and variations of each barrel to be shown.

Although not a bourbon, Rye Whiskey usually undergoes the same processes with the exception that Rye is used as the basis of the mash instead of corn.

Falling out of favor with the US consumers, Bonded Whiskey was once considered the creme de la creme of bourbons, but in reality, the only different characteristic is the proof (100) and that the Federal Excise Taxes are not paid until the whiskey is shipped out of the warehouse.

Some Blended Whiskies are also made in the US. They contain some shortcut, which does not allow them to be considered bourbons, either aged in used oak barrels, or the mash could be less than 50% corn but more likely, the whiskey is usually diluted with a neutral grain spirit such as vodka.

Tennessee Whiskey is a not a Bourbon; because aside from being produced in Tennessee, the whiskies must undergo a filtering through sugar-maple charcoal. This is considered as flavor/coloring addition so the product cannot be called Bourbon.

In regards to aging; if a bourbon is aged less than 4 years, the age must be stated. If it is aged over 2 years, the bourbon may be called Straight Bourbon.

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