Bourbon whiskey is a traditional spirit of the American South. A particular variety of corn whiskey, bourbon is aged in charred white oak barrels, which gives it a distinctive amber hue and many of its flavors and aromas—the honey-sweetness, the cinnamon-spiciness, and the complex floral and earthy notes—that separate it from other whiskeys.
Bourbon Brands vs. Whiskey Brands
Many people don’t know what separates bourbon whiskey from other whiskey drinks. According to US federal law, to be labeled an official straight bourbon whiskey, the whiskey must meet several requirements:
- It must be distilled within the United States
- It must be made of a grain mixture including at least 51% corn
- It cannot be altered in any artificial way: no coloring, flavoring, or special filtering
- It must be aged for at least two years in new charred white oak barrels
- It must be distilled to no higher than 165 proof, and introduced into the barrel at no higher than 125 proof
Most popular bourbon brands on the market, such as Jim Beam, Evan Williams, Wild Turkey, and Maker’s Mark easily qualify as straight bourbon whiskeys, being made from a grain mixture of about two thirds corn and being comprised of a mixture of bourbons aged for at least four years. Most bourbon distilleries follow the same basic process when producing bourbon whiskey, but the small, crucial details in the recipes and aging processes are different and often well-kept trade secrets.
Making Bourbon Whiskey
The basic steps to make a bourbon whiskey are as follows: A sour mash mixture of corn and other grains is fermented for several days and then distilled twice to make a clear whiskey called “high wine” (or sometimes “white dog” or “moonshine”). This clear whiskey is cut with natural spring waters down to the right proof and then introduced into a white oak barrel to be aged.
The inside of the white oak barrel has been flash charred so that the sugars and flavors in the wood become smoked and caramelized. The barrels are stored for aging in large (usually multiple-story) housings, and over several years the whiskey expands and contracts within the barrel according to the warmth or coolness of the passing seasons, seeping up the flavors, aromas, and colors of the charred wood. Much of the bourbon whiskey evaporates over the years into what is often called the “angels’ share” of the batch.
When the batch is ready, the bourbon is drained from the barrels, put through basic filtration, and then cut with natural spring waters down to the proof at which it will be bottled. Most popular bourbons are made from an amalgamation of many different barrels to standardize the quality, though premium bourbons come from a small batch of bourbon barrels or from a single bourbon barrel.
Below is a list of popular bourbon brands:
Jim Beam Bourbon
Founded in 1795, and reinstituted after prohibition by Colonel James B. Beam, the Jim Beam bourbon distillery currently produces the best-selling bourbon brand in the world. Jim Beam’s most popular bourbon brand is its standard Jim Beam white label, but the company also makes a premium Jim Beam black label. The Jim Beam bourbon brand also owns and produces Booker’s, Baker’s, Basil Hayden’s, and Knob Creek bourbon, as well as the several brands of Old Grand Dad bourbon.
Evan Williams Bourbon
The Evan Williams bourbon brand is distilled and bottled by the Heaven Hill company, and is the second best selling bourbon brand. Evan Williams, the founder, began distilling in 1783 in Kentucky. The company’s standard bourbon brand is Evan Williams black label, but it comes in several other varieties as well, including a nine-years-aged premium single-barrel bourbon. The company is also responsible for the Elijah Craig bourbon brands.
Wild Turkey Bourbon
In 1940, bourbon distillery executive Thomas McCarthy took some bourbon samples from the warehouse on a wild turkey hunting trip with his friends. The next year, his friends asked for some more of that “wild turkey whiskey” and the bourbon brand name was born. The standard 80 proof brand was introduced in 1974, and the famous Wild Turkey 101 brand—one of the more potent among popular bourbon brands—soon followed. Both are now among the best-selling bourbon brands worldwide. The Wild Turkey distillery also makes Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed, and Russel’s Reserve, among several other bourbon brands.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Known for its squat bottle and dripping red wax top, Maker’s Mark straddles the line between popular and premium bourbon brands. Its unique recipe lacks rye and contains instead more malted barley and a special type of wheat. Distiller T. W. Samuels invented the recipe by baking many batches of bread with the exact grain mixture and deciding which batch tasted best. Because it’s made with wheat instead of rye, Maker’s Mark is a sweeter bourbon brand.
More Bourbon Brands
The above mentioned popular bourbon brands make up a huge portion of the worldwide bourbon market, but represent only a few varieties in the overall selection of bourbon brands. The best bourbon brand is the bourbon one likes best, so it’s best to taste around as much as possible. Visit distilleries, peruse specialty liquor stores, and go to bourbon tastings to find out about the best bourbon brands available.
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