Bourbon is an American barrel-aged whiskey that is legally required to be made with at least 51% corn and aged in new barrels of charred oak. While most people associate it with Kentucky distillers, it can be produced anywhere in the U.S. There are several distillers here in New Mexico. It has, over time, transitioned to a premium export product. Trade agreements require that the name “bourbon” can only be applied to U.S. made products that pass the legal requirements of aging, grain content, and distillation, much in the same way tequila is protected as a Mexican spirit.
Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period. Products aged for as little as three months are sold as bourbon. The exception is straight bourbon, which has a minimum aging requirement of two years. In addition, any bourbon aged less than four years must include an age statement on its label.
We talked to Israel Hendricks, who operates the Whiskey One Channel with his wife Brenna. They describe their channel as, “A digital media platform and community guide dedicated to whiskey novices, the curious, and connoisseurs exploring the world of whiskey and barrel aging.” He tells us, “Bourbon is truly an American spirit that is enjoyed around the world. How I would define bourbon is uniquely American...distinctively American. It tastes different from any other whiskey that you will find anywhere else in the world.”
He told us about the grain content, “It’s made from what's called a mash bill...different grains that are uniquely bourbon. At least 51% of that mash that is distilled must be made from corn. There could be a higher amount than 51%, but at least 51% has to be corn. You can have other grains such as rye, or you could throw in oats, although that's very rare. You can throw in malted barley, and you can throw in wheat, and any combination of those things is still considered bourbon as long as the predominant grain percentage is at least 51%. Bourbon with a large rye content is labeled as a high-rye bourbon. Also, there are a variety of oaks that can be used for wooden aging barrels, but it must be virgin oak.”
There is a wide range of quality and prices for bourbon, with special reserves and extended aging that can be extremely expensive. The brand Pappy Van Winkle, for example, has aging from ten to 23 years, and some of it sells for nearly $2,000 a bottle. A few of their special reserves are over $3,000 per bottle, and there are a select few that are around $7,000 a bottle. Whereas Jack Daniel's typically sells for $20 to $40 per bottle and is a popular good bourbon.
Israel describes the high-end bourbons. “When you take that first sip, you know that It's wildly complex. There are layers to it. There's a depth to it that is unlike other whiskeys where they come off maybe as one note or simple...which can still be good.”
He also tells us that bourbon makes a good mixed drink. “Bourbon is probably one of the easiest whiskeys to mix with anything. I feel like bourbon is very easy to mix and enjoy with things just because of the sweetness, and sometimes the earthiness. There's this black tea thing in the taste. There's this caramel richness or coffee or brown sugar sweetness that comes with it. You can get some really dark bourbons that will add more like chocolate notes or even coffee notes. I mean the spectrum is very wide when it comes to bourbon. If you're going to do some mixing, bourbon is hands down one of the easiest things for people to mix with.”
Of course, if you’re buying the really expensive bourbon, you might not tend to make a mixed drink with it. So, neat or on the rocks? Israel says, “I have always preferred my whiskey neat. However, I think there's something to be said about quality “craft ice.” Say you went to Japan, where the ice is especially shaped for presentation. People will pay a premium just to have ice in their whiskey.”
If you have guests or business associates in town and want to make an impression, take them out to a place that has premium American bourbon...and maybe a prime cut of Southwest steak to go with it.
Israel and Brenna’s website is https://whiskeyonechannel.com/. Special thanks to Jubilation Wines, Spirits, and Beer for their valuable consultation.
Bourbon is truly an American spirit that is enjoyed around the world.
When you take that first sip, you know that It's wildly complex. There are layers to it.
Bourbon is probably one of the easiest whiskeys to mix with anything.