Bourbon

Bourbon is an American whiskey that is primarily made from corn mash, the minimum requirement is 51%, while other options may include rye, barley, or wheat. Although most production is located in Kentucky, bourbon can technically be made anywhere in the United States.

The whiskey is almost always aged, and the process must take place in new charred oak casks, but the regulations do not specify the minimum aging period. If it is labeled as straight bourbon, it indicates that the whiskey has been aged for at least two years, and all bourbon whiskey must be bottled at the minimum of 40% ABV.

Other bourbon-related definitions include small batch (a blend from a special selection of barrels) and single barrel (bourbon from one barrel). Most bourbon varieties are smooth and subtly sweet with typical caramel, spicy, and vanilla notes, though the exact aromatic profile often depends on the choice of mash and age.

Bourbon can be served neat, on the rocks, or mixed with water, but it is also an important cocktail ingredient in classics such as Whiskey Sour, Old-Fashioned, Manhattan, and John Collins. It is believed that Scottish and Irish settlers brought the tradition of distilling whiskey to Kentucky sometime in the 18th century.