What Makes a Good Bourbon?

A distinctly American spirit, bourbon has the characteristic flavors of vanilla, oak, fruit, spice, and honey. It is a smooth spirit that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. But what makes a bourbon good? How do you taste bourbon? Don’t worry – we break down just what makes bourbon good and how you can be sure to find the bourbon that suits your needs.

What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is regulated by US law. To be called Bourbon, it must be made with at least 51% corn and the rest can be malted rye, wheat, or barley. It also needs to be aged in new charred oak barrels. Finally, it must be between 80 and 160 proof.

For a spirit that is so regulated, it is surprising how many varieties and flavors you can find on the shelf. Bourbons are typically described as sweet or spicy.

1. Sweet Bourbon

   Most bourbons tend to have some sweetness. This comes from the aging process in the new charred oak barrels, which release flavors of caramel and vanilla, which are present in most bourbons. However some bourbons are sweeter than others. Many factors go into making a bourbon sweet – anything from the mash mixture to the length of time in the barrel, to the finishing of the spirit can result in a sweeter bourbon. Sweet bourbons tend to be described with other flavors, such as butterscotch, maple, honey or chocolate.

2. Spicy Bourbon

   People often describe bourbons as spicy if they have either hot flavors like red pepper or if it has a lot of spice, similar to baking spices. Either way, the spiciness of bourbon can come from the alcohol content or from the aging process. Some spicy bourbons also derive their flavor from the rye added to the mash. Rye whiskey is a spicier whiskey than bourbon, so those bourbons who also include more rye in the grain profile, tend to introduce more spice into the bourbon.

In addition to sweet and/or spicy, bourbon can present on the palate with either the flavor of the grains or the flavor of the wood in the barrels.

1. Wood-Forward Bourbon

   It is estimated that up to half of the flavor of bourbon comes from the barrel in which it was aged. Bourbon is typically considered mature after 4 years, however many distillers keep the bourbon aging longer to bring out more flavors from the wood. Wood-forward bourbons tend to have more oak flavor as well as more flavors like tobacco, leather, cedar or walnut. These rich flavors make wood-forward bourbon less approachable to the beginning bourbon drinker, but definitely worth trying!

2. Grain-Forward Bourbon

   Unlike wood-forward bourbon, the grains are highlighted in these types of bourbons. The aging process tends to be less to allow the flavor profiles of the grains come through more strongly. Grain-forward bourbons have more taste of the mash, similar to cornbread or hot cereal.

There are so many varieties of bourbon to try, each with their own unique spin on this classic American spirit. The best way to approach bourbon is to try several kinds.

How do you taste Bourbon?

When tasting bourbon, there are several things to notice. Observing the following characteristics of bourbon will help you to determine what types of bourbon you prefer.

1. Appearance

   What does the bourbon look like? The color of bourbon comes from the aging process. Generally speaking, the darker the bourbon, the longer it has been aged. You can guess a lot about how a bourbon is going to smell and taste, just by looking at the color.

2. Aroma

   Treat your bourbon just like you would a glass of wine. Swirling and sniffing bourbon can teach you a lot about the spirit. Keep in mind that the prominent smell will likely be alcohol. However, if you keep your mouth open and put your nose to the glass, breathing in through your mouth, you can get the small of the bourbon, instead of just the alcohol.

3. Taste

   The best way to first taste a new bourbon is to take a small sip and swirl it in your mouth so that you cover all your tastebuds. Just like the aroma, you will need to think about the taste beyond the alcohol. Is it spicy? Sweet? Vanilla-y?

4. Finish

   The finish is how it leaves your mouth after you swallow. Is there an aftertaste? Does it feel harsh or smooth? Take note of whatever you feel at the end of your sip.

If you try different bourbons taking note of these four elements, you are bound to find not just a good bourbon, but the right bourbon for you.

Cheers!