Color of Bourbon: What the Color of Whiskey Can Tell You About the Spirit

Ever wonder what gives bourbon whiskey its color? Why are some bourbons lighter colored and others darker? The color of bourbon can tell you a lot about the quality and how the whiskey was made. We break down everything you need to know about the color of bourbon.

Why is Bourbon Brown?

Bourbon actually starts as a clear liquid and gets all of its color through the aging process. There are three main things that will influence the color of bourbon.

1. The Barrel Used to Age the Bourbon

   To legally be called bourbon, the spirit must be aged in a charred new oak barrel. White Oak is most commonly used in the United States for bourbon barrels, however some distilleries will use European Oak, Mongolian Oak, or others. These barrels then need to be charred. Barrels can be charred to different levels, resulting in different color profiles for the bourbon. The higher the level (the longer the barrel was charred), the darker the bourbon, and the woodier the flavor.

   Some companies use a second barrel for aging, in addition to the new charred oak barrel, this will result in even darker color.

2. How the Bourbon is Stored During the Aging Process

   Bourbon that goes into the barrel at a higher proof is likely to be lighter in color than bourbon that goes into the barrel at a lower alcohol proof. This is because water extracts the sugar from the barrel better than alcohol, so the more water, the more color will come from the barrel itself.

   The position of the barrels can also impact the color of the bourbon. Barrels stored vertically do not have as much air flow between the barrels, and the bourbon has less access to the thickest parts of the barrel. Horizontally stored barrels have more access to the thickest parts of the barrel which can lead to a darker color.

3. How Long the Bourbon is Aged

   The longer the bourbon is aged, the darker the color will become. This is because the spirit will have more time to extract the flavors and colors from the barrel. Bourbon needs to be aged at least 2 years for straight bourbon whiskey and at least four years for bottled-in-bond.

Is Dark Bourbon Better than Light Colored Bourbon?

Many people associate darker color with a better quality bourbon. But this is not always the case. Just because a bourbon is aged longer, doesn’t mean it will taste better. Other factors, such as the type of oak and the amount of char will lead to different colors in bourbon. Don’t pass up trying lighter bourbons just because they are associated with lower quality. It’s great to try all types and color profiles of bourbon to find the ones you like best.

Cheers!