My World of WhiskeyBourbon vs. WhiskeyMix-Up
All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Whiskey is the whole family; bourbon is one American member of it, with its own legal rules.
Any spirit distilled from a fermented grain mash and, almost always, aged in wooden barrels.
- Any grain: barley, corn, rye, wheat and more
- Made all over the world
- Each country has its own rules: Scotch, Irish, Japanese, Canadian, American
"Scotch is my favourite whisky."
A whiskey made in the United States under strict federal rules.
- At least 51% corn
- Aged in new charred oak containers
- Nothing added but water, bottled at 80 proof or more
"This bourbon is wheated."
Why It Matters
Knowing the difference helps you read a label: "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" tells you the family, the style, the minimum age and where it was distilled.
Common Myths
"Bourbon has to come from Kentucky." No. It can be made anywhere in the United States. Most of it comes from Kentucky.
"Bourbon must be aged two years." Only Straight Bourbon. Plain bourbon has no minimum age, though nearly all is aged for years.
"Tennessee whiskey isn't bourbon." It meets the bourbon rules, plus maple charcoal filtering. Its makers simply prefer the Tennessee name.
Related Terms
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