A Beginner’s Guide to Bourbon

Bourbon doesn’t have to be complicated. At its core, it’s an American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels. That’s it. Everything else — the mash bill percentages, the barrel char levels, the rickhouse locations — is just how distillers put their fingerprint on the spirit.

What Makes Bourbon Different from Other Whiskey?

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon must be made in the United States, use at least 51% corn in the mash bill, be distilled to no more than 160 proof, and be aged in brand-new charred oak barrels. There’s no minimum aging requirement for bourbon, but “straight bourbon” must be aged at least two years.

Rye whiskey, by contrast, swaps the corn majority for rye grain — giving it a spicier, drier character. Scotch uses malted barley and ages in used barrels, producing an entirely different flavor profile.

How to Read a Bourbon Label

Three numbers on a bourbon label tell you almost everything you need to know. The proof (double the ABV percentage) tells you how strong it is — 80 proof is standard, 100+ proof is “bottled in bond” territory, and barrel proof means nothing was added after the barrel. The age statement, if present, tells you how long the youngest whiskey in the bottle spent in oak. And the mash bill, sometimes listed on craft bottles, tells you the grain recipe.

Five Great Starter Bottles Under $40

We always recommend these to someone walking in for their first bourbon: Buffalo Trace is smooth and approachable with vanilla and caramel notes. Evan Williams Single Barrel offers impressive quality at a low price. Wild Turkey 101 has a higher proof with a rich, full flavor that works great in cocktails or neat. Elijah Craig Small Batch gives you 12 years of age at a bargain price. And Woodford Reserve is the crowd-pleaser — balanced, easy to sip, and a great introduction to Kentucky bourbon.

Stop by our store on Brainerd Road and our team will walk you through these and many more. We carry over 740 bourbons and whiskeys, so there’s something for every palate and budget.