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    Home » Bourbon

    How to Drink Bourbon: A Beginner's Guide

    Published: Feb 26, 2018 · Modified: Oct 17, 2024 · 9 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Do you want to be a bourbon connoisseur, but aren't sure where to start?  This Beginner's Guide will help you learn How to Drink Bourbon!

    Do you want to love bourbon, but aren't sure where to start?  This Beginner's Guide will help you learn How to Drink Bourbon!

    Glass with honey old fashioned cocktail and ice cube.
    Add Bitters, Bourbon, Syrup + Ice to Rocks Glass

    Whether you're a lifelong bourbon fan, or are just getting started-- this guide on How to Drink Bourbon is here to help you along your way!

    First, we'll look at a few bourbon basics, then we'll talk about how to taste bourbon, and of course-- there will be bourbon recipes!

    Learn More: Want to learn about how to drink bourbon ON SITE at distilleries?  Check out my Guide on how to Tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail! And new distilleries keep being added to the trail, like the Bardstown Bourbon Company.

    Bourbon vs. Whiskey: What Is Bourbon?  What Is Whiskey?

    All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. 

    Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage made by distilling a fermented grain mash.  The grains can include barley, corn, rye, and wheat-- and whiskey may contain additives and flavorings.

    Bourbon, on the other hand, is a type of whiskey highly regulated by the U.S. government.  If a distiller doesn't follow the rules, the product can't be labeled bourbon.

    To be labeled bourbon, it must:

    • Must be made in the United States
    • Contain at least 51% corn in the fermented grain mash
    • Must be distilled to no more than 80% alcohol by volume (160 proof)
    • Must be no more than 62.5% ABV (125 proof) when it enters the barrel
    • Must be stored in BRAND NEW charred oak barrels

    Fun Fact: Whiskey can be spelled with or without the e.  Traditionally, whiskey is the American spelling, and whisky is the Scottish spelling-- but you'll find the terms used interchangeably.

    Is All Bourbon Made in Kentucky?

    No, it just has to be made in the United States.  However-- 95% of all bourbon is made in Kentucky!

    Why? 

    The answer is limestone. 

    Limestone is used (and needed) to filter the water for the highest quality bourbon-- and Kentucky just happens to be full of limestone.

    Are There Flavor Additives in Bourbon?

    No.  Bourbon gets all its flavor from the charring on the brand new oak barrels.

    It is illegal to add any type of flavoring to bourbon-- which means you can drink it and cook with it, all without worrying about chemical additives.

    Trend Alert:  Some distillers are trying out new (and exciting) techniques where they finish aging the bourbon in sherry or brandy barrels. 

    Any non-traditional, non-regulated techniques will be listed clearly on the label.  

    Is Bourbon Gluten-Free?

    Good question.  It depends on who you ask.

    The short answer is, bourbon is made with grains that contain gluten, but the distilling process should-- in theory-- destroy any gluten.

    But not everyone agrees, so if gluten bothers you, or you have Celiac's, check with your doctor before consuming bourbon.

    What Are the Angel's Share and the Devil's Cut?

    As the bourbon ages in barrels, the liquid expands into the wooden barrel, and then shrinks back out of the wood because of changes in the weather.

    Some bourbon is lost to evaporation as it ages.  This is called the angel's share.

    Some bourbon is lost within the wood as it ages.  This is called the devil's cut. 

    (Have you tried Jim Beam's Devil's Cut Bourbon?  It's made with bourbon extracted from the barrel walls.)

    And that, my friends, is one reason why bourbons that are aged for a long period of time can be so expensive-- there simply is less bourbon in the barrel to bottle.

    Kentucky Legend: When you drive through the Kentucky countryside, you'll see lots and lots of black barns. 

    Why black? 

    The bourbon distilling process leaves a black residue on nearby trees and buildings. 

    Legend has it that during Prohibition, the locals would paint their barns black to help keep their stills hidden! 

    How to Drink Bourbon: Reading Labels

    Bourbon labels can get a little-- a lot-- complicated and confusing. 

    Here are a few labels to look out for while you're shopping:

    • Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey: This means that instead of blending multiple barrels together to get a standardized flavor, this bourbon is from a single barrel.  These bottles tend to cost more than blended bottles.
    • Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey: This term appears on a lot of bottles, and means that only a small number of bourbon barrels were mixed together.  However, it isn't actually a regulated term.
    • Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon whiskey aged at least 2 years.  It may be mixed together from multiple barrels or bourbon recipes.
    • Blended Bourbon Whiskey: A blend of whiskey and bourbon whiskey that contains at least 51% bourbon whiskey.  (This product may contain non-bourbon whiskeys!)
    • Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey: A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys.
    • Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey: A product from a single distillery, all from the same season, bottled at 100 proof, that has been stored at a federally bonded warehouse for no less than four years.

    Still Curious? Want even more information about whiskey labeling?  Check out this Whiskey Label 101 tutorial.

    What Does Bourbon Taste Like?

    You're just going to have to taste some and find out! 

    It's tough, I know!

    But if you'd like a little guidance, here's a tasting guide to get you started.

    Bourbon can have very complex flavor profiles, but in his book Bourbon Curious, Fred Minnick breaks bourbon into four main flavor profiles:

    • Grain Forward:Great for beginner bourbon drinkers!
      • These bourbons tend to be younger, and taste strongly of grains.
      • Try Smooth Ambler's Small Batch or Town Branch's Straight Bourbon Whiskey
    • Nutmeg Forward: These bourbons have spicy or nutty overtones.
      • Try Elijah Craig's Barrel Strength or Evan Williams Black Label
    • Caramel Forward:My personal favorite!
      • These bourbons pick up more of the sweet flavor from the charred oak.
      • Try Maker's Mark Barrel Strength or Maker's Mark Straight Bourbon Whiskey 
    • Cinnamon Forward: The husband's favorite!
      • These bourbons are spicy, and tend to have rye-heavy mash recipes.
      • Try Maker's Mark 46 or Bulleit Bourbon

    If you want more tasting help, I highly recommend Bourbon Curious as a tasting guide!

    Fun Fact: Did you know there's a bourbon equivalent to a wine sommelier? In the world of bourbon, they're called Stewards.

    How to Drink Bourbon: Start By Looking at the Bourbon

    Once you've picked a bourbon (or two) to taste, pour some into a glass.  Before you take a sip, look at the bourbon. 

    Swirl it around the glass. 

    Smell it. 

    Hold the glass up to the light, and look for the following:

    • Color: Bourbon ranges from light and golden to dark and caramel.  The darker the bourbon, the older it is.
    • Legs: As you swirl the bourbon, look to see if it coats the glass.  Some bourbon will have legs that cling to the glass, and some won't.
    • Smell: Open your mouth and place it directly over the glass.  Then, breathe in with your mouth (and not your nose).  This will let you smell and taste without your nose being overwhelmed by the alcohol scent.  Breathe in-- does the bourbon smells sweet, peppery, or especially spicy?

    How to Drink Bourbon: Taste it!

    Now, it's time to taste the bourbon. 

    Sip just a little bourbon, and let it roll around your mouth, over your tongue, and then smack your lips.  This is called a Kentucky Chew.

    As you swallow, the bourbon will warm you up as it goes down.  This is called a Kentucky Hug.

    Should I Add Water?  What About Ice?

    Here's a few basic ways to drink your bourbon:

    • Neat: Bourbon with nothing else added. Taste bourbon neat the first time you try a new kind.
    • With a drop or two of water:  Adding just a drop or two of water will help bring out aromatics in the whiskey.  (I like to add a drop or two when the whiskey is particularly strong.)
    • On the rocks: Adding ice can help the other flavors in the bourbon bloom and stand out.

    How to Drink Bourbon: Bourbon Cocktails!

    After you've tasted a few kinds of bourbon, go ahead get creative! 

    Try any of bourbon cocktails listed below, and let me know which is your favorite in the comments.

    Bourbon For spring:

    My personal favorite is the classic Mint Julep! Drink it on Derby day, or any day!

    How to Make a Mint Julep
    Love bourbon?  Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch!  This classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!
    Make It
    How to Make a Mint Julep- Finished Julep
    Bourbon Sour with Lavender
    This Bourbon Sour with Lavender is a sweet spring cocktail! Mix one up in no time with lavender simple syrup, lemon juice (or Meyer lemon juice), and bourbon.
    Make It
    This Lavender Lemon Bourbon Sour is a sweet spring cocktail! Mix one up in no time with lavender simple syrup, lemon juice (or Myer lemon juice), and bourbon.

    Bourbon For summer:

    Blueberry Bourbon Smash
    This Blueberry Bourbon Smash is made with a quick and easy blueberry syrup and fresh basil leaves.  It's a blueberry cocktail that's perfect for hot summer days!
    Make It
    blueberry cocktails on a countertop

    Bourbon for Fall:

    Pumpkin Eggnog
    This easy Pumpkin Eggnog is an autumn take on the classic winter cocktail, and is ready start-to-finish in about 10 minutes. 
    Make It
    Pumpkin eggnog in glasses + a pitcher.
    Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise
    This Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise is made with bourbon, apple cider, and pomegranate simple syrup.  This southern twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise is the perfect fall cocktail.
    Make It
    This Apple Cider Kentucky Sunrise is made with bourbon, apple cider, and pomegranate simple syrup. This southern twist on the classic Tequila Sunrise is the perfect fall cocktail.

    Bourbon for Winter:

    Kentucky Bourbon Coffee
    This Kentucky Bourbon Coffee is a Southern take on an Irish coffee, and is the perfect drink to keep you warm on chilly days. This caffeinated cocktail is made with freshly-brewed coffee, coffee liqueur, bourbon, and cream. 
    Make It
    This Kentucky Bourbon Coffee is a Southern take on an Irish coffee, and is the perfect drink to keep you warm this winter. This caffeinated cocktail is made with freshly brewed coffee, coffee liqueur, bourbon, and cream.
    Tea Hot Toddy
    This tea hot toddy is made with herbal tea, bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. It's a delicious hot cocktail that's the perfect for sick days.
    Make It
    This vegan-friendly Mint Tea Hot Toddy hot cocktail is the perfect "get well" drink for for cold winter days.

    Want even MORE bourbon cocktail ideas? Try these:

    • Mint Julep with Blackberries + Lemon from Striped Spatula
    • Black Cherry Bourbon Cocktail Smash from Super Golden Bakes
    • The Roast + Toast: A Bourbon + Coffee Cocktail from Gastronom
    • Dairy-Free Bourbon Hot Chocolate from the Flavor Bender

    ↓ Bourbon Basics Guide↓

    Do you want to be a bourbon connoisseur, but aren't sure where to start?  This Beginner's Guide will help you learn How to Drink Bourbon!

    More Bourbon Recipes + Distilleries

    • Bourbon still at Hartfield & Co.
      Hartfield and Co. (Paris, KY)
    • Willett Distillery stone and wood building.
      Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY)
    • Exterior of Jeptha Creed Distillery, a red wood-sided building with black roof.
      Jeptha Creed Distillery (Shelbyville, KY)
    • Building Exterior with "Finger Lakes Distilling" printed on side.
      Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett, NY)

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. champagne-tastes says

      February 26, 2018 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks- and you totally do! Enjoy!!! Lol

      Reply
    2. Leah says

      February 26, 2018 at 10:32 pm

      Thanks for sharing some of our cocktails! I love all these fantastic bourbon cocktails!!

      Reply
    3. Michelle says

      February 27, 2018 at 6:40 am

      Thanks for sharing all your bourbon wisdom! I love bourbon but I've been wanting to expand my horizons and try new and better ones!
      Does this also mean that the honey bourbon that I have isn't really bourbon, if you're not allowed to add flavourings to it?

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        February 27, 2018 at 6:56 am

        Yup if there’s honey added then it’s whiskey!!

        Reply
    4. Elaine says

      February 27, 2018 at 8:55 pm

      That was a fun read!! If I had told my 20-year-old self, or even my 30-year-old self I'd be enjoying bourbon, I would have laughed heartily in my own face. Fast forward many years and I'm enjoying bourbon like there is no tomorrow! Your drinks are beautiful and I am going to make a few of them this weekend!

      Reply
    5. Sean@Diversivore says

      March 04, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      I'm loving this! I've always been a scotch fan and I've recently started experimenting with bourbon more and more, so this is well-timed. Thanks for all the basics, facts, and cocktails to work with! It definitely makes me want to go out and pick up a new bottle (or four) of bourbon to experiment with. Oh, and I loved the bit about the black barns! I did not know that! Cheers!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes says

        March 21, 2018 at 9:43 am

        You need to teach me all the things about scotch!!!

        Reply
    6. Denise Browning says

      May 28, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      Great guide to bourbon Sarah! Which tool did you use to display the cocktail recipes in this article? Thank you and cheers!

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        May 28, 2019 at 2:56 pm

        Thanks Denise! It’s part of the recipe plugin software I use- WP Recipe Maker (pro), and it’s the recipe roundup feature.

        Reply
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