Food - Drink
The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey
By NATASHA BAILEY
One of the oldest and most popular spirits in the world is whiskey, traditionally made in Ireland and Scotland, though other countries are also notable for their whiskey craftsmanship. However, whiskey made in the U.S. is usually called "bourbon," and the differences between these drinks are more numerous than just their names.
Whiskey is an umbrella term for any distilled spirit made from a mash of corn, rye, barley, and/or wheat grains. This type of alcohol has been made for centuries, and according to the Taster's Club, there are currently over 5,000 different expressions of single-malt whiskeys in existence today, but bourbon is a little different.
Bourbon is indeed a type of whiskey, but a very specific type that is regulated by the U.S. government. A whiskey must be made from a grain mash containing 51% corn or more; be 160 proof or less in terms of alcohol content; and must be aged in charred oak barrels with no additives to be legally considered bourbon.
The corn used in bourbon mash is what gives this particular whiskey its distinct style and flavors of caramel and vanilla. The origin of bourbon, while intrinsically linked to the invention of whiskey, has roots in Kentucky, and today, this state produces 95% of the world's entire supply of bourbon thanks to its corn production.