American Whiskey & Bourbon
American whiskey is a diverse category shaped by centuries of distilling tradition, regional influences and distinctive production methods. From the rich sweetness of Kentucky Bourbon and the smooth character of Tennessee whiskey to the distinctive spice of American rye, the United States produces an enormous variety of whiskey styles. While Bourbon is undoubtedly the best-known American whiskey around the world, there is much more to discover across this increasingly diverse category.
Bourbon whiskey is a distinctly American style of whiskey and must follow specific production requirements. It must be produced in the United States from a grain mixture containing at least 51% corn and matured in new, charred oak containers. Unlike many other whiskey styles, Bourbon does not have a minimum ageing requirement simply to be called Bourbon, although additional rules apply when terms such as Straight Bourbon are used.
The high proportion of corn used to make Bourbon contributes to the style's characteristically rich and sweet flavour profile. Depending on the distillery, recipe and maturation, Bourbon can offer flavours of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, butterscotch and baking spices alongside notes of fruit, nuts and chocolate. The use of newly charred oak also has a significant influence on both the colour and flavour of the finished whiskey.
Although Bourbon can legally be produced anywhere in the United States, Kentucky Bourbon has become particularly synonymous with the category. Kentucky is home to many of America's most famous Bourbon distilleries and benefits from a long-established whiskey-making heritage. The state produces everything from approachable everyday Bourbons to small-batch, single-barrel, cask-strength and extensively aged releases sought after by whiskey enthusiasts.
Tennessee whiskey is another celebrated style of American whiskey. Its production shares many similarities with Bourbon, but Tennessee whiskey has its own regional identity and production traditions. One of its best-known characteristics is the Lincoln County Process, where the newly distilled spirit is filtered or steeped through sugar maple charcoal before maturation. This process is associated with the smooth and mellow character found in many Tennessee whiskeys.
Rye whiskey provides a distinctive alternative for those looking to explore beyond Bourbon. American rye whiskey must be produced from a mash containing at least 51% rye. Rye typically contributes a drier and spicier character than corn, with flavours that can include pepper, baking spice, herbs, caramel, oak and fruit. This bold profile also makes rye a popular choice for classic whiskey cocktails.
The combination of grains used to produce American whiskey is commonly known as the mash bill. While Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn, distillers can use grains such as rye, wheat and malted barley to make up the remainder. A Bourbon containing a larger proportion of rye may have a spicier character, while wheated Bourbon can offer a softer, rounder and often sweeter flavour profile.
Oak maturation plays a particularly important role in American whiskey. The requirement for Bourbon to use new charred oak means the spirit has significant interaction with the wood as it matures. Charring the inside of the barrel creates layers within the oak that can contribute flavours of vanilla, caramel, toasted sugar and spice. Changes in temperature throughout the year can also encourage the whiskey to move in and out of the wood, influencing its development over time.
Age statements provide another way to explore Bourbon and American whiskey. Younger expressions can showcase vibrant grain sweetness and fresh oak, while extended maturation may introduce deeper flavours of leather, tobacco, dark chocolate, spice and toasted wood. However, longer ageing does not automatically mean a better whiskey, as the balance between the spirit and the influence of the oak remains important.
American whiskey also includes single-barrel and small-batch releases. A single-barrel whiskey is bottled from an individual barrel rather than combining whiskey from multiple barrels, meaning subtle differences can exist between releases. Small-batch whiskey typically combines a selected number of barrels chosen to create a particular flavour profile, although the exact definition and number of barrels used can vary between producers.
Cask-strength and barrel-proof Bourbon have also become increasingly popular with whiskey enthusiasts. These expressions are bottled at a higher alcohol strength and with less dilution than standard releases, allowing drinkers to experience a whiskey closer to the strength at which it matured in the barrel. They often deliver concentrated flavours and can be enjoyed neat or with a small amount of water according to preference.
Beyond Bourbon, Tennessee and rye, the American whiskey category continues to evolve. Distilleries across the United States are producing single malt whiskey, wheat whiskey, corn whiskey and experimental expressions using different grains, maturation techniques and cask finishes. This growing diversity has helped make American whiskey an increasingly exciting category for both established whiskey drinkers and those beginning to explore different styles.
Bourbon and American whiskey can be enjoyed neat, with water, over ice or in a wide variety of cocktails. Bourbon's combination of sweetness, oak and spice works particularly well in classics such as the Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour, while the distinctive spice of rye has made it a traditional choice for cocktails such as the Manhattan and Sazerac.
From smooth and approachable Bourbon to spicy rye, Tennessee whiskey and premium single-barrel releases, American whiskey offers a broad spectrum of flavours and styles. Whether you're discovering Bourbon for the first time, searching for a favourite Kentucky whiskey, choosing an American whiskey gift or exploring premium and small-batch releases, shop the Bourbon & American Whiskey collection at Carry Out and discover some of the most distinctive whiskeys produced across the United States.