What is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey?
USA Legal Statute Requirements for Whiskey to be called Bourbon
- Must be made from a mash containing a minimum of 51% and a maximum of 79% corn.
- Other grains commonly used include rye, barley and wheat.
- The varying amounts used of these other grains is part of the reason different brands vary in flavour.
- Must be distilled at less than 80% alc/vol
- Must be stored in charred, new, white oak barrels at no higher than 62.5 alc/vol for a minimum of 2 years.
- To be called Kentucky Bourbon the Whiskey must have been produced and aged in Kentucky.
- To be called a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey all of the Whiskey in the bottle must have the above characteristics i.e. not blended with other Whiskeys.
- Other Whiskeys
- American Whiskey
- Not aged or bottled in Kentucky, or does not meet other Bourbon requirements.
- Kentucky Whiskey
- Not aged in new charred oak barrels as Bourbon requires, but is aged in Kentucky, or does not meet other Bourbon requirements.
- Rye Whiskey
- Mash containing at least 51% rye grain (Canadian Whiskey is rye based).
- Tennessee Whiskey
- Made in Tennessee not Kentucky.
- Does not use Kentucky limestone water
- Different filtration process
- Otherwise similar process
- Blends (any)
- Bourbon Whiskey blended with non Bourbon Whiskey or spirit, may contain other additives (colour etc.) also.
- For example Brands labeled Distillery Blend or similar.
