Whiskeywhiskey
Bourbon
Defined by federal law in 1964 when Congress granted bourbon protected status as a 'distinctive product of the United States.' Can be produced in any state, though Kentucky dominates production.
Flavor Profile
Vanilla and caramel from new charred oak (maximum vanillin extraction on first fill), corn sweetness, warm finish. Dominant nodes: Sweet-Caramel and Vanilla-Oak. Lactones from American white oak contribute coconut character. Oak char contributes caramelized sugar layer.
Key Producers
Well
Evan Williams Black Label
$15-25Jim Beam White
$15-25Old Grand-Dad
$15-25Very Old Barton
$15-25Call
Buffalo Trace
$25-45Wild Turkey 101
$25-45Maker's Mark
$25-45Four Roses Small Batch
$25-45Knob Creek
$25-45Elijah Craig Small Batch
$25-45Woodford Reserve
$25-45Premium
Maker's Mark 46
$45-80Four Roses Single Barrel
$45-80Knob Creek Single Barrel
$45-80Wild Turkey Rare Breed
$45-80Russell's Reserve 10-Year
$45-80Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
$45-80Top Shelf
Blanton's
$80+Eagle Rare
$80+Woodford Reserve Batch Proof
$80+Colonel E.H. Taylor series
$80+Pappy Van Winkle
$120+ retail$2500+ secondary51%+ corn mashbill; distilled to max 160 proof; barrel entry max 125 proof; aged in new charred oak containers; bottled at min 80 proof; no additives; produced in the United States. Congress granted protected status in 1964.