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Everything You Need to Know About Bourbon
  • 04/02/2025

Everything You Need to Know About Bourbon

As whiskey goes, bourbon is an American original. While it originated in Kentucky, bourbon can be produced anywhere in America as long as it follows a set of standards.

Bourbon Must be:

  • Produced in the USA
  • Distilled from a mash with a minimum of 51% corn
  • Aged in new charred oak casks
  • Maximum 80% alcohol by volume (ABV) coming out of the still
  • No more than 62.5% ABV when put in barrel
  • Minimum 40% ABV when bottled
  • Free of coloring or flavoring

Bourbon differs from other whiskeys in several areas. Its high corn content and strict use of new charred oak barrels are the most prominent differentiators, as they directly correlate to the resulting spirit. While there is no particular aging requirement for bourbon, many top bourbons are left in barrel for several years to produce a richer, more complex whiskey, perfect for sipping or enjoying over ice. 

Bourbon History

Though bourbon has been produced in the USA since the 1800s, it was not formally recognized until 1964, when House Concurrent Resolution 57 declared bourbon a distinctive American product, followed by the Senate’s Resolution 19, which offered trade protection similar to Scotch whisky.

Bourbon’s roots go back to early American settlers, who brought their distilling knowledge and traditions from France, Holland, Germany, Scotland, and the UK. Corn was a plentiful and fast-growing crop, making it a popular choice for whiskey making.

Bourbon County, Kentucky, was named for a French royal family to honor their support during the American Revolution. Hence, whiskey made in this region became known as bourbon, and the name stuck. 

Understanding the Seven Styles of Bourbon

Whether you’re new to bourbon or a long-time aficionado, you may have noticed vast differences in flavor profiles from brand to brand and slightly different wording on the labels.

  • A high-corn bourbon is mostly corn, maybe 100%. 
  • Wheated bourbon uses a high percentage of wheat in the mash.
  • High-rye bourbon has rye making up the non-corn portion of the mash.
  • Cask-strength bourbon is over-proof as it is bottled without dilution.
  • Single-barrel bourbon is perhaps the most unique as it is bottled from a single barrel.
  • Small-batch bourbon is made in small pot stills and is not mass-produced.
  • Straight bourbon means the whiskey is aged at least two years in a cask.

Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon, for example, is a blend of high and low-rye straight bourbons, aged for 10 years in barrel. Rich, complex, and robust, it’s a treat that can be enjoyed any way you like: neat, on the rocks, or in a whiskey cocktail.

How is Bourbon Different from Other Whiskies?

What is bourbon? Or, for that matter, what’s the difference between Scotch, Canadian whisky and rye whiskey?

Although they are all whiskies/whiskeys, each has distinct features based on the grains used, where they are made, the distilling method, and the aging process.

Scotch, for example, is made from malted barley and takes on a unique smoky character from the fuel used to heat the grains during the malting process. Whisky cannot be called Scotch unless produced and bottled entirely in Scotland. Scotch must also be aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels no more than 700 liters in size.

Canadian whisky can be made of any blend of grains and must be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada in old, new, charred, or uncharred barrels no larger than 700 liters. 

Celebrating Tradition: Bourbon Cocktails to Try

Though Pendleton® Whisky is best known for its Canadian and rye whiskies, we are proudly American—and what better way to celebrate our heritage than with a whiskey born of American tradition? Our latest release, Pendleton® 1910 Bourbon, embodies the spirit of the American West and is a must-have addition to your back bar.

Every whiskey lover is unique; luckily, our bourbon is highly versatile to suit most tastes. We suggest trying it neat to begin with. Add one or two drops of spring water or a single cube of ice to bring out the flavors.

For bourbon cocktail lovers, we recommend our signature Cowboy Gold Rush, a riff on the classic whiskey sour with a kiss of honey. You can also try the 1910 Bourbon Smash for an interesting twist.

Order a bottle of Bourbon today and discover your favorite way to enjoy. Cheers!

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