Bourbon Flashcards
What is bourbon?
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey, distilled from a mash made primarily of corn.
Can bourbon be made outside of America?
No, the federal standards governing the identity of bourbon dictate that it is a ‘distinctive product of the United States’ and that ‘the word “bourbon” shall not be used to describe any whiskey or whiskey-based distilled spirits not produced in the United States’.
Does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky?
No, it can be produced anywhere in America. However, 95% of the world’s supply does come from Kentucky.
What does it take for a whiskey to be officially called a bourbon?
In order for a whiskey to be called a bourbon whiskey, it’s mash must be made up of at least 51% corn, the mash must be distilled at 160 proof or less, the distillate must be stored in charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less, and it must not contain any additives.
Where does the name “bourbon” come from?
The origins of the name bourbon are extremely uncertain. However, the most prominent contenders are Bourbon County in Kentucky and Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Both took their names from the House of Bourbon, a European royal house of French origin.
How long does bourbon have to be aged for?
Standards state that bourbon must be stored in charred oak barrels but there isn’t actually a minimum-ageing requirement. However, bourbon which has been aged fewer than four years must have an age statement on its label, and to be defined as ‘straight bourbon’ it must have been aged for a minimum of two.
What is the Bottled in Bond Law?
The regulations are codified in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 – In order to be labeled as “Bottled-in-Bond” or “Bonded,” the spirit must be the product of one distillation season and one distiller at one distillery. It must be bottled and stored in federally bonded warehouses under the U.S. government supervision for no less than 4 years. The bottled product’s label must identify the distillery by DSP number where it was distilled and, if different, where it was bottled. Most bonded spirits are whiskeys.
What does it mean to be bottled-in-bond?
The spirits must be the product of one distilling season from one distillery and bottled at 100 proof. It must also be aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse.
What gives bourbon it’s distinctive brownish color?
The charred oak casks that it is aged in.
Where does bourbon originate from?
There are many conflicting stories and legends. The invention of bourbon is often credited to Elijah Craig who is said to have been the first to age the product in charred oak casks. An earlier distiller named Jacob Spears is said to have been the first to label his product “bourbon whiskey”. There was likely no inventor of bourbon whiskey as the charring process for aging had been known in Europe for centuries.
Where does the name “bourbon” come from?
There are many different possibilities – Could have been named after Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a major port where shipments of whiskey sold well as a cheaper alternative to French cognac. Could have been from the geographic area known as Old Bourbon, consisting of the original Bourbon County in Virginia organized in 1785. This region included much of today’s Eastern Kentucky.
What is the difference between whiskey and bourbon?
Whiskey is a general term for an alcoholic liquor made from fermented mashed grains. Bourbon is the term for a whiskey made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
How was the county of Old Bourbon born?
When American pioneers pushed west following the American Revolution, the first counties they founded covered vast regions. One of these original, huge counties was Bourbon, (1785) named after the French royal family. While the county turned into many smaller ones many people continued to call the region Old Bourbon. Located within was the principal port on the Ohio River, Maysville, Kentucky, from which whiskey and other products were shipped. “Old Bourbon” was stenciled on the barrels to indicate their port of origin. Old Bourbon whiskey was different because it was the first corn whiskey most people had ever tasted. In time, bourbon became the name for any corn-based whiskey.
The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, codified under 27 CFR states bourbon made for U.S. consumption must be:
- Produced in the U.S. and its Territories (Puerto Rico), as well as the District of Columbia.
- Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
- Aged in new, charred oak containers.
- Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
- Entered into the container for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
- Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume).
Does bourbon require a minimum amount of time to be aged?
No. Unless it is “straight” bourbon - this is required to be aged for a minimum of two years.
