Originally Posted by gnggng

I am not a bourbon drinker, but do hail from Kentucky and would just like to clear up the bourbon definition.

What is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey?

USA Legal Statute Requirements for Whiskey to be called Bourbon

i) 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.

ii) Must be distilled at less than 80% alc/vol

iii) Must be stored in charred, new, white oak barrels at no higher than 62.5 alc/vol for a minimum of 2 years.

iv) To be called Kentucky Bourbon the Whiskey must have been produced and aged in Kentucky.

vi) 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 Whiskey’s.

vii) Other Whiskeys

a) American Whiskey

– Not aged or bottled in Kentucky, or does not meet other Bourbon requirements.

b) Kentucky Whiskey

– Not aged in new charred oak barrels as Bourbon requires, but is aged in Kentucky, or does not meet other Bourbon requirements.

c) Rye Whiskey

– Mash containing at least 51% rye grain (Canadian Whiskey is rye based)

d) Tennessee Whiskey

– Made in Tennessee not Kentucky

– Does not use Kentucky limestone water

– Different filtration process

– Otherwise similar process

e) Blends (any)

– Bourbon Whiskey blended with non Bourbon Whiskey or spirit, may contain other additives (color etc.) also.

– For example Brands labeled “ Distillery Blend” or similar.