AMERICAN WHISKEY

Badger’s Bluff Fresh Cut Whiskey (5/3/2017)
Baker’s Bourbon (9/25/2013)
Baker’s Bourbon aged 7 years (batch B-90-001) (4/11/2017)
Basil Hayden’s (9/24/2013)
Bearded Lady Bourbon (4/6/2017)
Bearded Lady Charred Moonshine (4/29/2015)
Blanton’s Single Barrel (5/1/2013)
Booker’s Bourbon (9/24/2013)
Buffalo Trace Bourbon (4/9/2013)
Cougar Bourbon (4/17/2013)
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old (3/28/2013)
Elijah Craig 12 Year Old (5/18/2013)
Elijah Craig 18 Year Old (6/2/2013)
Elmer T Lee (9/23/2013)
Gentleman Jack (by Jack Daniel’s) (3/27/2016)
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Double Barreled Tennessee Whiskey (12/29/2019)
Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 1980’s v 2013 (6/27/2013)
Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select (1/18/2016)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select (3/29/2016)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select (Barrel No. 15-2739) (8/3/2016)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel (Barrel no: 12-0798) (1/25/2013)
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut (4/11/2013)
Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 year old (4/3/2017)
Jim Beam Small Batch with Port (9/24/2013)
Johnny Drum Kentucky Bourbon (Green Label) (1/29/2013)
Maker’s Mark (9/29/2013)
Q&A with Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel’s (Tennessee, United States) (9/18/2017)
Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey (8/4/2013)
Sazerac Rye 6 Year Old (4/10/2013)
Templeton Rye Signature Reserve (2/2/2020)
Twenty Third St Distillery Hybrid Whisk(e)y (4/29/2017)
Virgin Bourbon (9/27/2013)
Westland American Oak American single malt whiskey (8/2/2016)
Westland Peated American single malt whiskey (11/1/2016)
Westland Sherry Wood American single malt whiskey (8/2/2016)
What the heck is “moonshine”? A look at Melbourne Moonshine, Crazy Uncle Moonshine and Bearded Lady Charred Moonshine (2/20/2017)
Wild Turkey Forgiven (11/17/2013)
Wild Turkey Longbranch: alright alright alright! (8/21/2018)
Wild Turkey Rare Breed (3/24/2014)
Wild Turkey Spiced Bourbon (3/4/2014)

American whiskery can take several forms, but the most famous are Kentucky bourbon (for example, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey) or Tennessee whiskey (for example, Jack Daniel’s).

Jack Daniel’s is a Tennessee whiskey, while Wild Turkey and Jim Beam are Kentucky bourbons (Kentucky is pictured in red). Obviously bourbon can be produced elsewhere in the United States, but it cannot be called “Kentucky” bourbon or “Tennessee” whiskey.

American whiskey, like Irish whiskey, has an “e” in its spelling whereas Scotch is written as “whisky”. Tennessee whiskey and bourbon tend to be a little sweeter than Scotch whisky, and this different taste is understandable because they have a different production method prescribed by an international agreement and by law.

All bourbon is whiskey but not all whisky is bourbon or Tennessee whiskey. Whisky can be made anywhere in the world from grain which is fermented and dried, mixed with water to which yeast is added. This is then heated and the evaporated liquid is collected then aged in barrels. United States law provides for certain requirements to be met before an alcoholic beverage can be called a bourbon, so you can count on a difference! Some of these requirements are:

1. Bourbon is distinctly American so it is only produced in the United States (its name comes from Bourbon County in Kentucky);

2. A bourbon must comprise of at least 51% corn;

3. Bourbon must be aged for a minimum period of time, at least 2 years to be called “straight” bourbon;

4. Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels;

5. Bourbon must not be more than 80% alcohol;

6. Tennessee whiskey has special production processes too, and it must be filtered through sugar maple charcoal.

From this, you can see how American whisky can develop quite a distinct taste. I hope to sample some more American whiskies in the future.

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