The water in Kentucky is hard — meaning, it has a high pH and a high proportion of minerals, including calcium and magnesium. These elements are optimal for distilling. The yeast in bourbon adores those minerals. They aid the fermentation process and create the distinctive, crisp Kentucky bourbon we know and love.
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Why is Kentucky famous for bourbon?
Kentucky’s wide temperature swings—from chilly winters to hot summers—are also conducive to producing bourbon because they cause the charred oak barrels, which give the spirit its amber color and distinctive taste, to alternately absorb and release the whiskey.
What makes bourbon special?
Bourbon Is Made With At Least 51 Percent Corn
What makes bourbon distinct from other whiskeys is the way it is manufactured and aged. All whiskey is spirit made from fermented grain and then aged in barrels.That corn gives bourbon its distinctive sweet flavor.
What is the difference between bourbon and Kentucky bourbon?
For example, straight American rye whiskey has to contain at least 51 percent rye and must be aged in new, charred-oak barrels/containers at least two years and be distilled in the same state. The No. 1 Doubler distiller at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky shows part of the distilling process.
Why is bourbon so delicious?
Why is bourbon a good choice? It goes way beyond the delicious smoky flavor. Unlike scotch and other whiskeys, which often come with caramel coloring, bourbon is typically free of additives (via The Whiskey Wash). And, in particular, when you buy a bottle labeled “straight,” it will be in its purest form.
Why is Jack Daniels not a bourbon?
Jack Daniel’s is not a bourbon – it’s a Tennessee Whiskey. Jack Daniel’s is dripped slowly – drop-by-drop – through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal (made from hard sugar maple) before going into new charred oak barrels for maturing. This special process gives Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey its rare smoothness.
What is a bourbon and Coke called?
About the Maker’s Mark and Coke
The Maker’s Mark and Coke is a simple two-ingredient cocktail that’s comprised of… Maker’s Mark and Coke. It’s a popular call at bars for anyone who wants to specify the bourbon that goes into their Bourbon and Coke.
What is the #1 bourbon?
The overall best Bourbon of 2021: Pappy Van Winkle’s 23 Year Family Reserve (95.6 proof) The best value Bourbon of 2021: Old Forester Signature Bourbon (100 proof).
Are all bourbons made in Kentucky?
Bourbon may be produced anywhere in the United States where it is legal to distill spirits, but most brands are produced in Kentucky, where bourbon production has a strong historical association.As of 2018, approximately 95% of all bourbon is produced in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
How long should bourbon be aged?
As long as bourbon is barrelled correctly, aging really has no requirement for how long or less. It can go for any amount of time. But, there are two exceptions to this – straight bourbon whiskey has to be aged for a minimum of two years, and bottled-in-bond must be aged for at least four years.
What is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey?
An especially prominent variation is the labeling “Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey”, used to indicate a straight whiskey made in Kentucky from a mash of at least 51% corn grain. For a straight whiskey to be called corn whiskey, it must use a mash with at least 80% corn and be aged in used or uncharred barrels.
Why is bourbon only made in America?
Bourbon is All-American. Whiskey may be made everywhere from Brooklyn to Scotland but in 1964, Congress declared bourbon “America’s Native Spirit.” That means to be called bourbon, it must be made in the U.S. But really, everyone knows that means Kentucky—95 percent of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky.
What bourbon is made in Kentucky?
Over 95% of the world’s bourbon comes from nearly 70 distilleries in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country. All of the big bourbon names are here — Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey, among others — and there’s good reason for that.
Is it OK to drink bourbon every night?
It’s important to not over-drink when trying to reap the benefits that whiskey can bring. Drinking more than one glass daily provides none of the benefits that this drink of choice has been proven to provide. In fact, it could seriously harm your body.
Is drinking bourbon every day bad?
Battle Common Medical Issues: Researchers have found that people who consume one to two alcoholic drinks (i.e. bourbon) daily could reduce the risk of developing common medical ailments such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, blood clots, the common cold and reduce stress.
Is whiskey or bourbon healthier?
Weight Loss. While drinking whiskey should not substitute a healthy diet and exercise, studies have shown that it can help with weight loss. Bourbon, compared to other alcohol choices, has a much lower calorie count, little sugar, no carbs and only 100 calories.
Is Crown Royal a bourbon or whiskey?
Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name ‘Bourbon Mash’.
Is Sour mash a bourbon whiskey?
Rock Town Four Grain Sour Mash Arkansas Bourbon Whiskey is a premium small batch bourbon whiskey distilled, aged and bottled at our distillery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Distilled from a mash of Arkansas grown corn, wheat, rye and malted barley.
What type of corn is used for bourbon?
dent corn
Bourbon uses “dent corn,” so called because each kernel has a little dent in it. Dent corn is matured longer, until it turns hard and dry, just like a grain.
How do you drink makers mark?
A simple combination of Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, bitters, sugar and a splash of water–just garnish your masterpiece with an orange slice and a cherry on top – and you’ve got the perfect drink.
Is Maker’s Mark a good bourbon?
Without a doubt, Maker’s Mark is one of the best small-batch bourbon whiskeys on the market, making itself known without a lot of fuss. Currently, Maker’s Mark bourbon is a significant player in the market, ranking as the 8th most-selling whiskey in the US.
