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Best Bourbon: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that has been distilled from a mash of at least 51 percent corn.
It is aged in oak barrels and is known for its sweet, smoky flavor.
Bourbon has been produced in the United States since the early 1800s and is now one of the most popular spirits in the world.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history of bourbon, the different types available, and some of the best brands to try.
Watch this video on Ranking Popular Bourbon Brands!
History of Bourbon
Bourbon has been produced in the United States since the early 1800s.
It is believed to have been developed by settlers in what is now Kentucky, who used corn and other grains to make whiskey.
The name “bourbon” was derived from the French phrase “bourbon county”, which referred to the area where it was first produced.
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Best Bourbon
Best Brands of Bourbon
Now that we’ve discussed some important factors to consider when choosing a bourbon let’s take a look at some of the best brands available today:
Maker’s Mark
Maker's Mark is a wheated bourbon made with a mash bill of 70 percent corn, 16 percent wheat, and 14 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least six years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel.
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is a high rye bourbon made with a mash bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least six years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of caramel and spice.
Basil Hayden’s
Basil Hayden’s is a small batch bourbon made with a mash bill of 80 percent corn, 12 percent rye, 8 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least seven years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of peppermint and spice.
Widow Jane
Widow Jane is an American whiskey made with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 15 percent wheat, 10 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least five years in port wine barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of vanilla and brown sugar.
Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits produces several different types of bourbon including their flagship product Barrell Craft Spirits Small Batch Bourbon which is made with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 15 percent wheat, 10 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least six years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of caramel and spice.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel is an American whiskey made with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, 4 percent malted barley.
It is aged for at least seven years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of caramelized sugar and spice.
Jim Beam Black Label
Jim Beam Black Label is an American whiskey made with a mash bill of 75 percent corn 15 percent rye 10% malted barley.
It is aged for at least eight years in charred oak barrels and has a sweet flavor with notes of vanilla and caramelized sugar.
Old Forester Signature 100 Proof
Old Forester Signature 100 Proof is an American whiskey made with a mash bill 80% corn 10% rye 10% malted barley.
It is aged for at least six years in charred oak barrels and has sweet flavors notes caramelized sugar, vanilla, and spice.
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel is an American whiskey made with mash bill 72% corn 13% rye 15% malt barley.
It is aged for at least eight years in charred oak barrels ,it has sweet flavors notes caramelized sugar, vanilla, and spice.
Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Small Batch is an American whiskey made with mash bill 75% corn 20% rye 5% malt barley.
It is aged for at least six years in charred oak barrels ,it has sweet flavors notes caramelized sugar, vanilla, and spice.
Knob Creek Single Barrel
Knob Creek Single Barrel is an American whiskey made with mash bill 70% corn 16% rye 14% malt barley.
It is aged for at least nine years in charred oak barrels ,it has sweet flavors notes caramelized sugar, vanilla, and spice.
Booker's
Booker's is an American whiskey made with mash bill 75% corn 13% rye 12% malt barley.
It is aged for at least seven years in charred oak barrels, it has sweet flavors notes caramelized sugar, vanilla, and spice.
Important Factors to Consider
When Choosing a Bourbon When choosing a bourbon there are several factors to consider such as mash bill (the percentage of corn used), barrel proof (the alcohol content), age (the amount of time it has been aged in oak barrels), limited editions (special bottlings released by distilleries), and price (the cost per bottle).
Here are some other important factors to consider when choosing a bourbon:
Mash Bill
The mash bill refers to the percentage of corn used in making the whiskey.
Generally speaking, bourbons made with higher percentages of corn will have sweeter flavors while those made with lower percentages will be more complex in flavor.
Barrel Proof
The barrel proof refers to the alcohol content of the whiskey after it has been aged in oak barrels.
Generally speaking, bourbons with higher barrel proofs will have more intense flavors while those with lower barrel proofs will be smoother and more mellow in flavor.
Age
The age refers to the amount of time that the whiskey has been aged in oak barrels before bottling.
Generally speaking, older bourbons will have more complex flavors while younger bourbons will be lighter in flavor.
Limited Editions
Limited edition bottlings are special releases from distilleries that are usually only available for a short period of time or in limited quantities.
These bottlings often have unique flavors that cannot be found in regular production bourbons.
Price
The price refers to the cost per bottle for each type of whiskey.
Generally speaking, higher priced bourbons will have more complex flavors while lower priced bourbons will be lighter in flavor.
Bourbon Reviews & Ratings
When it comes to finding the best bourbon, reviews and ratings can be very helpful.
There are several websites that offer reviews and ratings on different types of bourbon.
Some of these include Fred Minnick’s Whiskey Row website, Pappy Van Winkle’s Bourbon Review website, and Bourbon Pursuit Podcast.
Fred Minnick's Whiskey Row
Fred Minnick Whiskey Row website offers reviews on different types of bourbon from around the world.
He also provides ratings on each type based on factors such as taste, aroma, finish, value for money, and overall impression.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Bourbon Review
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Review website provides detailed reviews on different types of bourbon from around the world.
They also provide ratings on each type based on factors such as taste, aroma, finish, value for money, and overall impression.
Bourbon Pursuit Podcast
The Bourbon Pursuit Podcast offers detailed reviews on different types of bourbon from around the world.
They also provide ratings on each type based on factors such as taste, aroma, finish, value for money, and overall impression.
Additional Bourbons
There are several different types of bourbon available today.
Each type has its own unique flavor profile and characteristics.
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey is a type of bourbon that is made with a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley.
It is aged in charred oak barrels for at least four years and has a sweet, smoky flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery produces several different types of bourbon, including their flagship product, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
This bourbon is made with a mash bill of 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley.
It is aged in charred oak barrels for at least four years and has a sweet, smoky flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Conclusion
Bourbon can be enjoyed neat or mixed into cocktails such as Manhattans or Old Fashioneds using ingredients such as lemon juice or sweet vermouth to create the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.
There are many different types available today ranging from Wild Turkey to Buffalo Trace Distillery so it can be difficult to choose one that suits your taste buds best without trying them all out first!
We hope this comprehensive guide helps you find the perfect bottle that suits your palate!
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