Bourbon and whiskey are some of the most popular spirits that you can find, especially in the United States. While most types of whiskey tend to look the same, bourbon is more distinctive based on its stringent requirements and sweet flavor profile. That said, it’s important to note that bourbon is a type of whiskey – just a unique one. This is why it’s called bourbon whiskey.
Still, bourbon is different from other types of whiskey, and it’s important to understand why. Read on to learn more about the difference between bourbon and whiskey.
What Is Whiskey?
Whiskey is a specific type of liquor that’s distilled from grains like barley, corn, wheat, and rye. While it’s a popular option in the United States, especially the rye and bourbon whiskey products, it’s important to note that whiskey is a global spirit. There are Japanese variants, Scottish variants, and Irish variants.
You’ll find that most types of whiskeys are aged in oak barrels that infuse the whiskey with unique flavors. In fact, it’s this barrel-aging process that gives whiskey its signature dark flavor. When it comes to alcohol content, whiskey doesn’t disappoint and you’ll find that most options are bottled at 80 proof (normal strength) and 120 proof (cask-strength), or 40% ABV and 60% ABV respectively.
Overall, there are many different types of whiskeys ranging from single malt scotches to blended Japanese whiskey options.
What Is Bourbon?
Bourbon is a unique type of American whiskey. It must be made with a mash bill that contains at least 51% corn mash, but many bourbons have a lot more corn in the mash. Bourbon also needs to be aged in charred oak barrels for around two years and must have an ABV of at least 40%. The result is a smooth whiskey that tends to have sweeter flavor notes of vanilla and caramel.
Unlike other whiskeys, bourbon also has to be made in the United States, although that can be any state. Overall, bourbon is a unique type of American whiskey, but it’s still a type of whiskey.
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey?
The biggest difference between bourbon and other types of whiskey is the mash bill. While whiskey can be made with a wide range of mash bills, the same can’t be said for bourbon. For a bourbon to be a bourbon it has to have at least 51% corn in the mash. This is different from Canadian whiskey, for example, which tends to lean heavily into rye and other grains.
To give you more of a perspective on the difference between bourbon and whiskey, we cover how it compares to some other popular whiskey options below.
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Rye Whiskey?
Rye whiskey is another popular whiskey that’s made in the United States. Unlike bourbon, rye whiskey has to have at least 51% rye in the mash. Ingredients aside, rye whiskey is peppery and spicy, so a little less smooth. When it comes to ABV and quality, though, rye whiskey and bourbon aren’t too different – think of them as distant cousins.
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Scotch?
The key difference between bourbon and scotch tends to be the location. This is because bourbon is an American whiskey and scotch is a Scottish whiskey. Location aside, scotch differs from bourbon because it’s usually made with malted barley, but it’s similar because it has to be aged in oak barrels. Scotch can also be a single malt liquor (one mash) or a blend (multiple mashes).
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Japanese Whiskey?
Japanese whiskey is unique due to how it’s made, although it draws a lot of inspiration from its American counterpart. That said, the end result is different because Japanese whiskey has a peaty flavor profile with hints of grass and dry smoke. It’s bottled at around the same ABV, so it’s mostly a flavor preference.
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Irish Whiskey?
Irish whiskey is made in Ireland and tends to be triple-distilled for maximum smoothness.
Usually, Irish whiskey is made with a blend of mashes so the flavor is more inconsistent than bourbon. Still, you’ll find many sweet tasty notes from the Irish grains.
Taste the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey Today
At the end of the day, the difference between bourbon and whiskey comes down to bourbon being a specific type of whiskey, whereas whiskey is more of a general term. For this reason, it’s important to compare bourbon to every other type of whiskey to understand what makes it unique.
Aside from telling you what the difference between bourbon and whiskey is, it’s important to experience it for yourself. Whether you’re someone who wants a bourbon for mixing cocktails or a strong sipping drink, make sure you choose the best bourbon whiskey to get the full effect; we recommend starting with this curated list of bourbons.