Bourbon and whiskey: differences, similarities, features and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Real sommeliers and true gourmets know exactly what is the difference between whiskey and bourbon. Regular consumers often confuse these two drinks and often pass one for the other. To discover the differences, it is worth diving into the intricacies of making this alcohol.

Composition

The main difference between whiskey and bourbon is their composition. The main ingredient of the latter is corn. Its share in the drink must be at least fifty percent in relation to other products used to make bourbon. Ready alcohol has a bright amber color, and its strength varies from forty to fifty degrees, ideally it is a 43-degree drink. For whiskey, the main raw material is barley, as well as crops such as rye and wheat, it may contain corn in its composition, but not more than ten percent.

Production

Consumers often do not see the difference between whiskey and bourbon, because in fact they are the same alcoholic beverage, differing in technology and place of origin. Bourbon remains a large subgroup of whiskey from America, each stage of the production of whichhas its own nuances. The processing of corn raw materials begins by grinding and subsequent scalding, and then barley m alt is added. For fermentation, special yeast is added, after which the drink is distilled.

What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey at this stage of production? The fact that for whiskey the grain is m alted, that is, the cereals are first germinated, then dried and cleaned. This is done in order to form enzymes, which, in turn, naturally break down starch into sugar.

Storage

It is customary to use only new barrels for brewing bourbon. Craftsmen follow old traditions and make containers only from oak, without using nails or glue, after first burning the tree from the inside. But scotch, on the contrary, is poured into already used barrels, in which sherry, cognac or Madeira could be infused. What is the difference between whiskey, scotch, bourbon, so it is in terms of storage. Bourbon insist from two to four years. The youngest Scotch is a three-year-old Scotch whisky. Irish whiskey is steeped for 5 years, while Canadian whiskey is aged for six years, which makes it a more respected drink.

Taste

The difference between bourbon and whiskey is noticeable in the taste of these drinks. Bourbon was previously considered an alcohol for the lower strata of the population, since the raw materials for its preparation were cheap, it resembled American moonshine. Only over time, after the development of industry and the improvement of production technology, this drink became notless interesting than whiskey. Bourbon has a sweetish taste due to corn in its composition, while whiskey, on the contrary, is more bitter. If you try alcohol from different manufacturers, each will have its own flavors. Drinks made in Europe or Japan may have notes of citrus, chocolate, or cinnamon. Bourbon producer Jim Beam has released experimental varieties that have gained popularity among fans of this drink. So, you can find apple bourbon, honey bourbon or a double-aged drink.

In turn, a manufacturer such as Jack Daniels has developed its own technology in which filtration occurs through maple charcoal, which gives alcohol its taste and aroma. Scotch will taste more tart.

Usage rules

To feel the difference, whiskey and bourbon should be drunk properly. For such noble drinks, a whole culture of drinking this alcohol has been created. It is considered disrespectful to drink from a factory container, alcohol is poured into glasses made of the thinnest glass in order to assess its color and age, pointing to the light.

Bourbon is drunk from glasses made of glass with a thick bottom. It is preferable to take the shape of glasses like rocks and tumblers. Before drinking whiskey, the glass is slightly warmed in the palm of your hand so that it opens its bouquet. Bourbon is drunk slowly, in small sips, to appreciate the taste and aroma. If you add a few ice cubes to alcohol, the aroma of the drink will be divided into severalcomponents, which also has its advantage, especially among fine varieties. For the preparation of cocktails, young bourbon is used and it is mixed with non-alcoholic components. When diluted with other drinks of bourbon and whiskey, the difference will be less noticeable.

Reviews

Many connoisseurs of strong drinks have long argued which bourbon can be called real. Some argue that any alcohol prepared according to technology has the right to be called real. Others believe that it is not only the observance of production that affects, but also the place of origin. According to them, true bourbon can only be made in the eponymous Bourbon County of America, located in Kansas. In this country, even a law has been passed banning the coloring of bourbon, while sugar can be added to whiskey to give the drink a beautiful caramel color.

Interesting facts

It is noteworthy that more than five thousand drinks are called "whiskey". The very variety of this alcohol is considered purely English, since its main production is located in Scotland. Scotch whiskey accounts for ninety percent of the world's supply of this drink, that is, about thirty bottles are bought every second in the world.

Infusing bourbon for at least two years has become not only a tradition, but also protected by law in America. Whiskey that has not been out of date is considered counterfeit and selling it is a crime.

Not only the age of the drink is protected by law, but also the composition. A prerequisite for real bourbon is that it containscorn alcohol, which must be at least half of all ingredients.

Today, there are such varieties of whiskey as classic, apple and, more recently, maple variety of this noble drink.

When drinking in oak barrels, a small percentage of alcohol settles in the pores of the tree. Masters call it "the share of angels." The well-known Jim Beam bourbon company has developed a technology that extracts alcohol that has been absorbed for years from a tree. Such a drink was called no less flashy name - "the devil's share".

So let's summarize what the difference is. Whiskey and bourbon are really different.

Feature of whiskey fermentation is the use of special yeast, for bourbon they use a starter obtained from a previously prepared drink.

In order for whiskey to acquire its beautiful color, caramel is added to it. It is forbidden to add any coloring substances to bourbon by law, it acquires its color thanks to barrels fired according to ancient technologies from the inside.

Bourbon is considered to be an American spirit, whiskey is associated with Britain, and its origin belongs to it.