Is Bourbon Whiskey?

The answer to the question ‘Is bourbon whiskey?’ is yes. All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon, nor does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky.

Is Bourbon Whiskey?

The short answer to that question is yes, bourbon is a particular type of whiskey. There are certain specific regulations governing the process of making it, before you can call it bourbon. Contrary to what many people think, bourbon is not exclusive to Kentucky, though I highly recommend taking the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

They do make more bourbon in Kentucky than anywhere else in the USA, being responsible for about 95% of bourbon sold around the world, but you can make bourbon anywhere in the USA and still call it bourbon. Which leads to…

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What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is a kind of whiskey made with specific legal requirements, which are:

There must be at least 51% corn in the grain mixture.
It must be made in the USA, though not necessarily in Kentucky.
It must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, or 80% ABV.
It must be aged in brand new charred American Oak containers. The wording says containers rather than barrels, but if you come across a wooden watertight container that you can age something in that isn’t a barrel, let me know.
There is no minimum ageing period, so it could be aged for one day and still be sold as bourbon.
It must be put into the ‘container’ at no more than 125 proof or 62.5% ABV.
It must be put into the bottle at no less than 80 proof or 40% ABV.

Fulfill these requirements and you’ve made bourbon. Ah, but what kind of bourbon?

Kernels of corn for bourbon — Bourbon Must Be At Least 51% Corn

Types of Bourbon

Straight Bourbon is bourbon that has been aged for at least two years and has had no other spirits, flavorings, or colorings added. If it has been aged for less than four years then the label must say how long it has been aged for. If it has been aged for over four years then there is no need for an age statement though it can carry one if the distiller wishes.

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottles, to illustrate the question, Is Bourbon Whiskey? — Kentucky Straight Bourbon Clearly Labeled

Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. This is a Straight Bourbon that has been aged for at least four years. It must be the product of one distilling season, one distiller, and one distillery. If not bottled at that distillery, the label must state where it was bottled. It must be bottled at a minimum of 100 proof (50% ABV) and there are one or two other minor requirements not likely to be of interest to the average bourbon buyer.

Bourbon. Anything that is neither of the above categories is simply bourbon. It might be Straight Bourbon or it might be Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, but distillers usually like to state those things if they are the case. Also, you don’t have to label something bourbon even if it is bourbon. You can simply call it whiskey, but if you’ve gone to all the trouble to meet the requirements for making bourbon, obviously you’re going to use the word.