For such an approachable spirit with humble beginnings, bourbon can be downright intimidating for newcomers looking to get into this all-American spirit. What’s the difference between wheated and high rye bourbon? Why are some bottles harder to get your hands on than Super Bowl tickets? And what makes bourbon different from any other whiskey, anyway?
For such an approachable spirit with humble beginnings, bourbon can be downright intimidating for newcomers looking to get into this all-American spirit. What’s the difference between wheated and high rye bourbon? Why are some bottles harder to get your hands on than Super Bowl tickets? And what makes bourbon different from any other whiskey, anyway?
In this article, we’ll break down the six distinct styles of bourbon, which have their own unique distillation processes and flavor profiles. But first, let’s establish what makes bourbon...bourbon.
“Whiskey” is an umbrella term for any spirit made using fermented grain mash. Under this umbrella, you’ll find spirits like Scotch, Japanese whisky, Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky and, of course, bourbon.
Bourbon is a whiskey made in the United States using at least 51% corn and a mixture of barley, wheat and rye. By law, bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, barreled at no greater than 125 proof in new, charred oak barrels and bottled at no less than 80 proof. These are the only rules that must be followed for a whiskey to earn the right to call itself bourbon.
New to tasting bourbon? Learn how to taste bourbon from a bartender by watching the video here.
There are three styles of bourbon that refer to the production process (single barrel, small batch and cask strength bourbon) and three styles that refer to the proportion of grains used to make the bourbon, also called its mash bill (high corn, high rye and wheated bourbon). Here’s a breakdown on each style:
Single barrel bourbon is exactly what it sounds like: bourbon bottled from a single barrel. Most bourbons on shelves are a blend of bourbons from different barrels aged for different amounts of time at different proofs. Sometimes, however, bourbon distillers find a barrel with such a unique flavor expression that they decide not to mix it with anything else and instead bottle it as a single barrel selection. These types of bourbons appeal to bourbon lovers because each bottle won’t be replicated in another bottle from a different barrel, even from the same brand. The exclusivity is enticing – once it’s gone, it’s gone for good! Sip it neat or on the rocks to appreciate and dissect the barrel’s flavor expression.
ABC even has its own Private Label Single Barrel Selects. Our team of experts visits your favorite distilleries to personally sample single barrels. After selecting a barrel with an exceptional flavor profile, the distillery bottles it with a unique label, designating it as ABC’s exclusive private label single barrel selection. These special bottles are available only at ABC at select stores. Read more about the private label single barrel selection process here.
Single Barrel Bourbons to Try:
Walking Stick Single Barrel Bourbon: This Sourced & Certified pick has a spectacular nose of rich dried fruits, caramel, cinnamon and spice.
Benchmark Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey: This bourbon’s nose of toasted oak and baking spice leads to a complex palate with notes of caramel and citrus undertones.
“Small batch” is a more ambiguous term than single barrel but, in general, refers to bourbon that is neither single barrel nor vatted (a common process for large bourbon brands where many barrels are blended in one big vat), but carefully blended from a selection of several barrels.1 The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau does not specify a maximum number of barrels for a bourbon to be considered “small batch,” so your bottle of small batch bourbon could be made from a blend of 3 or 50 barrels. Check the label to see if the brand specifies!
This style of bourbon production results in a more unique and complex flavor profile than mass-produced bourbons. Sip it neat or on the rocks to delve further into its tasting notes with each sip.
Small Batch Bourbons to Try:
1792 Small Batch Bourbon: Each 1792 barrel is aged no less than 8 years, and it shows in this small batch bourbon’s depth of flavor.
Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon: If you’re looking for a pleasantly woody, toasty bourbon with accents of spice, smoke and nutmeg, look no further.
This next style is not for the faint of heart. Standard bourbons are diluted with water to a specific proof (often 80 proof), but cask strength bourbons are bottled straight from the barrel at its natural alcohol content. This results in a strong, robust bourbon that allows enthusiasts to taste the spirit in its purest form. Cask strength bourbons can range from 100 proof to upwards of 130 proof. If you’re a fan of spice and heat in your spirits, then this is the style of bourbon for you. Sip it neat or on the rocks (if you dare) or mix it in a cocktail for an extra stiff drink.
Cask Strength Bourbons to Try:
Maker's Mark Cask Strength Bourbon: Sink into rich aromas of oak, vanilla and caramel in this cask strength pick from Maker’s. It boasts a big, round taste with notes of vanilla, caramel and spice and a pleasantly long finish.
Barrell Batch #35 Cask Strength Blended Bourbon: Don’t let the 117.5 proof scare you; this bourbon is vibrant, fruity and spicy with enough sweetness to balance out the high proof.
Most bourbons you see on shelves are high corn bourbons. As we touched on, bourbon needs to contain 51% corn, but many of the most popular bourbons exceed this metric with majority or even 100% corn mash bills. High corn bourbons produce those sweet gourmand notes of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch that dark spirits enthusiasts know and love. High corn bourbons are the most popular on the market and boast an impressive versatility; sip it neat or on the rocks or mix it in a Manhattan or old fashioned. Whatever suits your fancy!
High Corn Bourbons to Try:
Evan Williams Bourbon: Evan Williams is your perfect everyday sipping bourbon. Notes of toasty oak, brown sugar and caramel with a medium to long finish.
Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon: Another whiskey shelf staple, this exceptionally full-bodied bourbon strikes the senses with an oak aroma, a sweet, woody, almost fruity taste and a long, rich finish.
If high corn bourbon is sweet, then high rye bourbon is spicy. (Yes, we’re talking about the same rye found in rye bread and pumpernickel.) It’s made with a mash bill that includes at least 20% rye, which is known for its spicy, peppery flavor profile. You can expect notes of black pepper, cinnamon and even mint in high rye bourbons.
This style of bourbon has a kick, so it’s best for mixing in cocktails with other bold flavors that can stand up to it, like a Sazerac.
High Rye Bourbons to Try:
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey: Get that high rye spicy kick without being overpowered. Gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas lead to notes of maple, oak and nutmeg with a light toffee finish.
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon: Both a single barrel and a high rye selection, the nose on this bourbon is fruity, spicy and floral. On the first sip, the palate is full of ripe plum and cherries with a robust, full body.
The final bourbon style is wheated bourbon, which is most similar to high corn bourbon. The difference is that high corn bourbons use rye as the secondary grain in the mash bill, while wheated bourbons use wheat instead. The wheat trades high corn’s sweetness and rye’s spiciness for a well-balanced, mellow smoothness. You’ll pick up on notes of honey, baking spice and pastry in wheated bourbons for a softer, subtly sweet tasting experience. Wheated bourbon is usually the base spirit used in bourbon sours, boulevardiers or any cocktail where you don’t want too much sweetness or spiciness to overpower the rest of the cocktail’s ingredients.
Wheated Bourbons to Try:
Quarter Horse Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey: Beautifully balanced bourbon that strikes the right ratio of rich, spicy and fruity notes. Aromas and flavors of chocolate, toffee and stone fruits with a warm, long finish.
Green River Wheated Bourbon Whiskey: Perfect for the smooth and sweet bourbon lover, this bottle is bursting with flavors of toffee, hazelnut and cinnamon pastry with a mellow, honeyed finish.
So, which bourbon style is your favorite? Whichever style you’re looking to explore, head over to your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits to browse our expansive bourbon selection and find your new go-to pour.
