Bourbon 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Introduction to Bourbon

Bourbon is America's native spirit, with a rich history dating back over 200 years. This comprehensive guide will take you through everything you need to know to appreciate this distinctly American whiskey.

What Makes Bourbon Bourbon?

To be called bourbon, a whiskey must meet specific legal requirements:

Made in the United States
Contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill
Aged in new, charred oak barrels
Distilled to no more than 160 proof
Entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof
Bottled at 80 proof or higher

The Bourbon-Making Process

Mash Bill

The mash bill is the recipe of grains used to make bourbon. While corn must be at least 51%, distilleries add rye, wheat, or malted barley to create unique flavor profiles.

Fermentation

Yeast is added to the mash, converting sugars into alcohol over several days.

Distillation

The fermented mash is distilled, typically twice, to create a high-proof spirit.

Aging

The clear spirit (called "white dog") is placed in new charred oak barrels where it develops color, flavor, and character.

Common Bourbon Terms

Proof: Alcohol content (proof = ABV × 2)
Age Statement: Minimum time aged in barrels
Single Barrel: Bottled from one barrel
Small Batch: Bottled from a select group of barrels
Bottled in Bond: Made at one distillery, one season, aged 4+ years, 100 proof

Tasting Notes

Common bourbon flavors include:

Vanilla: From the oak barrels
Caramel: From charred oak and corn
Spice: From rye or high-proof aging
Fruit: From fermentation and aging

Building Your Collection

Start with these classic categories:

Entry-level bourbon: Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark
Mid-tier bourbon: Elijah Craig Small Batch, Four Roses Single Barrel
Premium bourbon: Blanton's, Eagle Rare
Special releases: Limited editions and allocated bottles

Next Steps

Ready to start tracking your bourbon collection? Digital Dram makes it easy to: