Bourbon is a drink with a heavy cult following. For many (but mostly men) enjoying it is somewhat of an academic hobby; you can be as savvy about it as one can be savvy about wine. But if you don’t swim in those waters, you’re probably unsure of the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch. We are here to clarify.
Whiskey is a spirit made from grains. Usually, these are barley, rye, or corn, but it can be made of several others.
Tennessee whiskey is a bourbon that went through what’s known as the Lincoln County Process - passing the bourbon through sugar maple charcoal, effectively making it a type of whiskey.
Then there’s rye whiskey. That’s a type of whiskey that must be at least 51% rye, which is commonly known as American rye whiskey.
The name bourbon comes from an area near Bourbon County, Kentucky, previously known as Old Bourbon. Bourbon is a type of whiskey. Put simply, what differentiates bourbon from whiskey is the law set by the Federal Standard of Identity of Bourbon. The rigid criteria are as follows:
* The mash (the grain mixture from which the drink is distilled) must contain at least 51% corn.
* Alcohol proof is a measure of the ethanol in an alcoholic beverage. The mash must be distilled to be at least 160 proof. Anything over that will strip away the green flavor. The beverage must be barreled to be at least 125 proof.
* No additives are allowed, including natural flavors. Meaning, there’s no such thing as flavored bourbon. That’s whiskey.
* The bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels. Meaning, barrels that have never been used. A used barrel is good for whiskey.
* Bourbon must be bottled to be at least 80 proof.
These definitions have been loosely anchored in the law since the 1800s and made it into the Code of Federal Regulations in the 1960s. Bourbon is made in the US, generally in Kentucky.
As noted, bourbon is distilled from corn. Scotch is a whisky made mostly from malted barley. In a nutshell, it is a whisky made in Scotland. And if you noticed we’re missing an E there, that’s not a spelling error! That’s the Scottish way.
What Would You Pay For the Best Bottle of Scotch On Earth?
These incredible liquors are only available in small numbers and have been sold for extremely hefty prices exclusively for the elite
Did You Know Bones Make Up 15% of Your Bodyweight?
A 9-minute video compilation stacked with facts you've never heard about nature and the human body.
Wine Facts and Puns To Lift Your Spirits
How much do you know about wines? Kick start the weekend with some facts and puns about the drink of history
These Fascinating Cat Facts Are Well Worth Sharing
You're definitely not a cat lover unless you know these 10 awesome facts about them!
4 Christmas Cocktail Recipes to Make This Holiday Special
These amazing Christmas cocktail recipes will ensure that you make this a Christmas to remember. Read how to make them now and give them a try!
Save More Time in the Kitchen with These Gadgets & Hacks
28 kitchen hacks and gadgets that will save you time in the kitchen.
These Common Mistakes Can Ruin Your Floors and Carpets!
In this article, we tackle 12 common floor and carpet cleaning mistakes most of us are guilty of and explain what to do instead.
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
Follow These 3 Easy Steps to Ripen an Avocado in Minutes
This foolproof trick will make your rock hard avocado soft and creamy in mere minutes. Just follow these simple instructions...
Guide: 10 Stunning Hairdos You Can Do Yourself at Home
These simple yet impressive hairstyles will leave you feeling confident and stylish for any occasion.
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
Enrich Your Knowledge with These Amazingly Useful Charts
Save these useful charts today! We guarantee they will come in handy…
8 Things You Need to Do With Your A/C to Save on Money
Not looking after your AC properly will decreases the efficiency of your system, meaning you’re losing a lot of money.
You Can Do So Much More With a Coke Than Just Drinking It!
Coca-Cola is one of the world's favorite sodas, however it can do a whole lot more than refresh you with its sweet taste. Here are 16 of its highly unusual uses
16 Heaven-Scent Plants That’ll Make Your Home Smell Divine
This article contains a list of 16 divinely-smelling plants that can be grown indoors or outdoors.
These 10 Phrases Will Make People Like You a Lot More!
Your choice of words can leave a long after the particulars have been forgotten. Here are 10 phrases you should add to your daily speech.
A Word from Warren Buffett: Investing for Beginners
Unpack the genius of Buffet's philosophy and get a chance to understand the financial world through his eyes. Tune in, absorb, and let your financial journey flourish.
Stunning! The Evolution of Beauty From 1952 to Today
Our definition of beauty may change as years go by but these pictures prove that true beauty is timeless.
16 Human Foods You Can Share With Your Dog or Cat
In this article, we will present you with 8 foods for dogs and 8 foods for cats.
19 Charts about Food and Cooking That Will Come in Handy
These food and cooking charts and guides can come in real handy someday!
13 Things to Do Immediately if Your Home Has Been Burgled
Has your house been broken into recently? This guide will help.
DIY Secrets: Make Your Own, Home-Made Ziploc Bags!
This video will teach you how to make your own home-made Ziploc bags.
Guide: How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents at Home
As you age you will find yourself spending more time at home. This guide gives you tips and ideas for making your home safe, comfortable and easy to navigate.
The One Ingredient in Shampoo that Damages Our Hair...
Most shampoos have at least this one ingredient that might damage your hair - protein.
Have You Been Making These Toilet Paper Mistakes Too?
The next time you use toilet paper, avoid these mistakes.
4 Stylish Haircuts that Take Years Off Your Face
Sometimes, all it takes to look years younger is a change in your hair style and color.
If You Have a Mouse Problem, This is How to Get Rid of It
If you have a mouse in your house there are many great (and humane) ways to get rid of it. Here are 6 of them.
Some Great and Cheap Ways You Can Remove Rust from Metal
Where's there's metal, there's rust - it's an ever annoying problem. These remedies allow you to restore rusty items without using harmful chemicals!
7 Tips to Ensure You Never Buy a Bad Watermelon Again!
Watermelons are delicious, but before you buy one heed these 7 traits that indicate that the watermelon that you’re about to buy is bad.
Eye Wrinkles Can Be Smoothed. Just Use These Methods...
Although they are often called "laugh lines," eye-wrinkles don't make us smile or laugh. With these 10 natural remedies, you can easily eliminate them.
Some Tips You Might Not Know About Whisky
If you're a lover of whisky and would like to know how best to drink it, the guide will cover everything you need to know!
Video Guide: Peel a Potato in Less Than a Minute
In this video guide, you will learn how to peel potatoes as quickly as possible.
Knowing These 12 Things Could Save Your Life One Day
We hope that you’ll never need to use any of these tips, but in case you do, they will help you or others survive 12 life-threatening situations.
Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair
Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.
The 11 Best Places to Retire to in 2024
Before you is a list of recommended places to retire to in 2024, all of which offer mix of affordable living, quality healthcare, vibrant communities, and diverse cultural experiences.
Re-purpose Your Old Clay Pots Into Something Special!
Clay pots are rather mundane things if there isn't something quite spectacular growing out of them, but you can use them to make something amazing...
8 Best 'Cheesy' Tips For Your Home Cheese!
Cheese is a must in any kitchen, but did you know these eight cheese life hacks?
Say Goodbye to Dreaded Wrinkles with These Fantastic Tips
Nobody, and we mean nobody, likes wrinkles. To prevent and treat wrinkles, follow these tips.
Why You Should Start Using BAKING SODA in Your Laundry
Here’s why we should all start keeping a jar of baking soda in the laundry room and how to use it to wash clothing and even deep clean the washing machine.
Your Pet May Be Depressed! Watch Out for These Signs
Is your pet behaving weird? it might be depressed. Here are some telltale signs your cat or dog might be suffering from pet depression.
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
This is How You Should Be Storing Your Groceries!
This fantastic guide will help you store all your groceries in the smartest way possible.
10 Essential Tips to Revamp Your Home on a Budget
Looking to renovate your home? Here's how to do so on a budget.
Grow Anything You Want With This Gardening Collection!
Enjoy our collection of seven gardening posts that'll cover everything you need to know to grow your own plants.
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
Learn What Your Plant is Trying To Say By its Condition
Our plants give signs of what they are in need of through the physical characteristics they exhibit. Learn how to interpret these signs with this handy guide.