Bourbon has to age in a new charred oak barrel.All of its aromas, tones, colors, and notes come from the barrel the spirit processes in. While there are products out there on the market like ‘peanut butter whiskey,’ true bourbon and whiskey do not have any additives such as coloring or flavoring. True whiskey and bourbon do not have any additives.Oak barrels are natural, pure wood that adds desirable aromas and elements to the whiskey, unlike other woods that can add undesirable resins and chemicals. It is rare for a whiskey to age in anything other than oak. While bourbon technically has to be aged in oak, most whiskey is aged in oak as well. Whiskey and bourbon commonly age in oak barrels.There is a famous saying that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. The first and most obvious similarity is that both are whiskies and look like brown liquids. Both are brown liquids and are technically whiskey.However, since bourbon has more extensive technical requirements, some prominent features distinguish one from the other. There are a few similarities and differences between the two liquors.īourbon is in the whiskey family, so there will inevitably be some characteristics that will carry over with the two products.
Now that we know what each alcohol is, we can finally answer what the difference is between bourbon and whiskey. Furthermore, bourbon has to be aged in a new charred oak barrel and cannot have any additives.īourbon also needs to enter the barrel at 125 proof (62 ABV) and cannot exceed 160 proof (80 ABV). It also has to be processed in the United States. The Federal Standards of Identity has several rules for the production of the liquor.įor manufacturers to classify a whiskey as bourbon, it needs to be distilled from 51% corn. The spirit has a lot more guidelines than whiskey does, and the process is more restrictive. However, the liquor has many technical requirements that producers must fill for it to be classified as bourbon. What Is Bourbon?īourbon is a type of American whiskey. As mentioned before, each whiskey has a different grain mash, is aged in different types of barrels, and comes from a specific location.įor instance, Irish whiskey is made in Ireland, distilled with barley, and has to age for at least three years. These are all different products in the whiskey family.
Whiskey is a type of distilled alcohol made from fermented grain.
To answer the question of what the difference is between whiskey and bourbon, we need to first dive deep into each. You no longer have to be confused when the bartender asks for your order.īy the end of this guide, you will know what you want to try next. We will also cover what bourbon tastes like, what the different whiskies taste like, and who will best suit the drinks. We will then dive into the basic guidelines of how the distilleries make the liquor and the difference between them.Įven if you know the difference between the two, you still may not be sure what one you should drink. This guide will first explain what whiskey and bourbon are. If you are one of the many people wanting an answer to this popular question, you have come to the right place. If bourbon is in the same family, how is it different?
That has been an age-old question that people still wonder about to this day.Ī lot of confusion arises around the question since bourbon is a type of whiskey. What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey?