American Whiskey

American Whiskey is a triumph. It includes so many different styles and flavour profiles but its loudest sibling, Bourbon, often grabs the limelight ahead of malt, rye and wheat whiskey. In fact there are officially six different American whiskey styles, each protected by law, namely Title 27 of the US Code of Federal Regulations. 

The US whiskey also draws on the experience brought by centuries of immigration from Ireland, Scotland and further afield which adds long-learned tradition to the country’s stock. But ultimately it is a distinctly American product.

Rye Whiskey

Malt Whiskey

Rye Malt Whiskey

Wheat Whiskey

Bourbon Whiskey

Corn Whiskey

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Bourbon whiskey is defined in Title 27 as a barrel-aged distilled spirit made from corn. It’s been around for more than 200 years and has a heavy influence with the American South, Kentucky in particular. 

What’s rarely mentioned though is that you can make bourbon anywhere in the United states. It doesn’t have to be in the Southern States. However, the reputation of Kentucky, and its southern neighbours’ whiskey making techniques, hold a lot of sway. 

Unlike many other whiskies, most styles of Bourbon don’t have a minimum length of time for maturation. Once the distiller judges the whiskey to be ready it can be labelled bourbon. Consequently, there are a lot of very young bourbons on the shelves. Bourbon of less than four years maturation have to state this on the label. 

The one exception to no minimum age limit is Straight Bourbon which is a style that must be matured for at least two years. 

Bourbon Whiskey  is a great whiskey with international appeal. It’s rich in flavour and full of history. Its fans love the sweet, smooth taste and complex aromas that it delivers and the history behind every bottle is rooted in the storytelling and history of the United States. 

It doesn’t try to compete with Scotch Whiskey or Irish whiskey. It’s entirely itself and full of confidence and personality. 

You’ll recognise you’re drinking bourbon by the sweeter profile delivered by the corn rather than the barley in Irish or Scotch whiskey, for example. It will have lots of caramel, fruit and vanilla notes from the virgin oak. 

The fluctuating temperatures of the southern States of America tend to allow for greater interaction with the wood and create complex layers of flavour.

Makers Mark is one of the best known bourbons, landing in the top-three of most bourbon lists each year. A family business set up in Kentucky in 1953 by Bill Samuels, it quickly grew to a national brand. 

It’s currently owned by Beam Suntory and the family is still involved in its management. As well as its around six-year-old entry level bottle, its core collection includes: Maker’s Mark 46, distilled in French oak; The Private Selection, made using custom wood staves and aged in a limestone cellar; Maker’s Mark 101, a high-proof limited release.

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Tennessee Whiskey must be made in Tennessee but although the ingredients and process are similar to Bourbon Whiskey, the makers do not like to use this term to describe it. Nonetheless, in some export markets they are obliged to label Tennessee Whiskey as Bourbon Whiskey.

Almost all Tennessee whiskey is made using the Lincoln County Process, which is a thick layer of maple charcoal that is used to filter the spirit before it is put into casks for maturation. This process began at Jack Daniels and is a unique flavour enhancement that is typical of Tennessee whiskey.

The strongly protected local identity of Tennessee whiskey is the main selling point of this fine whiskey. It ensures that the production processes and the flavours they create are closely watched over and the standard and quality maintained. 

Entering the Tennessee whiskey industry from outside the State is no mean feat since, not only do you have to be in Tennessee, you also have to ascribe to the production methods that are in practice there.

Jack Daniels is the best-known Tennessee whiskey maker. It has operated in Lynchburg Tennessee since 1875. Today it is owned by Brown Foreman, the US drinks conglomerate and produces around 16.1 million cases per year.

As well as the world famous Old No 7, Jack Daniels produces a single barrel collection, a cinnamon spiced version called Tennessee fire and Tennessee honey, flavoured with honey. They also produce Gentleman Jack, a double charcoal filtered whiskey.

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Rye whiskey is a very popular whiskey style in the United States. Also protected by Title 27, it must be distilled from at least 51% rye grain. The other ingredients in the whiskey tend to be corn or malted barley. 

Rye is closely related to wheat and barley and is grown as a grain for flour, bread, whiskey, vodka and animal feed. As with bourbon there is a straight rye version which is when it has been matured in wood for at least two years. 

It was once incredibly popular and one of the biggest selling whiskey styles in the US in the 17th and 18th century. Prohibition mostly wiped out production of the style but it is currently going through a revival with many more producers returning to it. 

The main flavour difference between rye and bourbon is a spiciness that comes from the rye. Some also refer to it as a fruit flavour that is absent in bourbon. It’s not  as sweet as bourbon or as full-bodied and fans of rye whiskey tend to prefer a lighter, more delicate whiskey.

WhistlePig is one of the best known rye whiskey brands, producing a range of aged and finished rye whiskies from its home in Vermont.

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The Small Batch is the flagship bottle in the EH Taylor line-up, which includes 12 core releases including Barrel Proof, Straight Rye, Four Grain and 18 Year Marriage. Small Batch is a non-age-statement release, bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and captures the brand’s signature flavours of caramel, sweetness and spice that underpin the entire range

There are three Family Reserve bottles: a 15-year-old, a 20-year-old and a 23-year-old. Each step up in maturity brings another rich layer of personality and flavour. The 15-year-old, which is considered the standard, is 53.5% (107 proof). Fans celebrate its natural honey, copper colour with dominant caramel and spice flavours. It’s considered very sweet, with rich dark fruit layers and malt.

Woodford batched 100 barrels together to blend this no age statement, 123.6 proof (61.8% ABV) bourbon whiskey. Its mash bill comprises 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley, all typical of the distillery’s approach but, with the addition of the large batch and higher proof, it raises the game to Woodford’s advantage

Bourbon has been the number one whiskey produced at Buffalo Trace for more than 200 years. Located in Frankfort, Kentucky it runs tours and tastings year round. It’s owned by the Sazerac company. It produces it own-name Buffalo Trace as well as Colonel E H Taylor, Eagle Rare, George T Stagg straight bourbon and others.

Whistlepig is located in Vermont in the north east of the USA. They source 100% rye whiskey that they import and finish and mature on site. They grow their own rye on their farm (although they also source rye elsewhere). They have a core range that includes WhistlePig 10 year old, 15-year-old and the Boss Hog edition.

This Seattle producer set out on its independent journey in 2010 only to be picked up by International Drinks conglomerate Remy Cointreau six years later. Westland American Single Malt Whiskey is the flagship title. Its distinguishing features include a five-malt mash bill that includes Washington State Pale Malt, Munich malt and Baird’s Heavily Peated Malt. Bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV) it’s matured for at least 40 months in virgin oak and married with a quantity of sherry-finished malt.