Bourbon vs. Whiskey: What's the Difference?
| Bourbon | Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | A specific type of whiskey | The broad category bourbon belongs to |
| Grain requirement | At least 51% corn | Varies, rye, barley, wheat, corn, or blends |
| Where it can be made | Must be made in the United States | Made worldwide (Scotch, Irish, Japanese, etc.) |
| Barrel requirement | New, charred oak barrels only | Varies by style and country |
Verdict
Every bourbon is a whiskey, but not every whiskey is a bourbon, bourbon is a legally defined American style with specific requirements (corn content, new charred oak barrels, US production) that most other whiskeys don't have to meet.
Bourbon
By US federal regulation, bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and meet specific distillation and bottling proof limits.
Whiskey
The umbrella term for any spirit distilled from fermented grain mash and aged in wood, Scotch, Irish whiskey, rye, and bourbon are all whiskeys, each with their own specific production rules.
FAQ
Does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky?
No, that's a common myth, bourbon can legally be made anywhere in the United States. Kentucky produces the large majority of it by tradition and industry concentration, not legal requirement.
Is Tennessee whiskey the same as bourbon?
Tennessee whiskey meets bourbon's legal requirements but adds an extra charcoal-filtering step (the Lincoln County Process) and must be made in Tennessee, which is why it's labeled as its own category rather than simply called bourbon.