bourbon vs whiskey vs scotch vs rye vs brandy

#Bourbon vs whiskey vs scotch vs rye vs brandy how to

Check out our Review Archive for reviews and thoughts from our in-house critic. We are the only media property reviewing whiskeys as well as aggregating the scores and reviews of other great voices in the whiskey world in one place. Here at Whiskey Raiders, we do more than write about current events in Whiskey. It’s no surprise that folks developed all sorts of ailments during our nation’s Prohibition, when both bourbon and rye were prescribed as medicine. The history behind this drink dates back centuries ago when inhabitants used to make their own drinks for an alcohol content high enough to preserve food and aid with headaches, toothaches, or any other ailments they were experiencing at the time. Rye whiskey is booming like no other, and a notable producer that’s risen to fame is MGP in Indiana – producing a 95% rye whiskey that enthusiasts are crazy about. In order to be a rye whiskey, the mashbill must contain 51% rye (sound familiar?) It has a distinctive spicy flavor and aroma that makes it one of the most popular types of American whiskeys in recent years. Rye is a type of whiskey that was originally made by distilling fermented mash from malted rye grain. Bourbon is the only currently recognized type of American whiskey protected by law internationally, although some states are working to enact regulations for their own whiskeys. It can be distilled up to 160 proof (80% alcohol), barreled at 125 proof, and aged. It is a type of whiskey that must be made in the United States, and aged here for two years in new oak barrels before it leaves the country.

#Bourbon vs whiskey vs scotch vs rye vs brandy how to

Unlike Scotch and other whiskeys, there is no set recipe for how to make a bourbon. That means that anything less than 51% can’t be called bourbon, but it can be referenced as American Whiskey in the right circumstances. Of course, there are exceptions, but mashbill accounts for a lot of flavor when it comes to whiskey! What is Bourbon Whiskey?īourbon gets its name from the French word for ‘little brown’, and it’s a type of American whiskey. If you’re looking for something sharp with a little kick – go for rye if you want something sweet, and mellow – go with bourbon. Bourbon typically drinks a bit sweeter with less herbal influence, thanks to the corn (and sometimes wheat) in the mashbill. Rye whiskeys tend to be sharper, more peppery, and dryer than bourbons.

It’s not always easy to tell what makes one different from the other, but they both have their own distinct tastes.

The difference between rye and bourbon whiskey is similar to the difference between sourdough bread and a baguette.