

It can come from one distiller or be a blend of whiskeys that are made in the same state. What is American straight whiskey?Ī straight whiskey must be aged in charred new oak barrels for two years. They usually expire when the bottle is empty. There's no expiration date on whiskey or any other distilled spirit they can keep for 100 years. Typically, bourbon and Tennessee whiskey tend to be more sweet and smooth, thanks to their high corn content, while rye is spicier than it's brethren. Looking for the best whiskey from Tennessee? Check out our list to see the Best Tennessee Whiskey! What is the smoothest whiskey?Īll American whiskeys are quite smooth, but depending on your taste, you may prefer one over another.


However, since the company does the additional step of filtering their American whiskey through maple charcoal after distillation, Jack Daniels is Tennessee whiskey. That's a question of some debate since Jack Daniels is made according to very similar methods as bourbon. That's because bourbon must be made with a mash bill that is at least 51% corn, it can't be any higher than 120 proof going into the barrel for aging, and it must be aged for at least two years in new charred white oak barrels. As the popular bourbon industry rule states: all bourbon is American whiskey, but not all American whiskey is bourbon. What is the difference between American whiskey and bourbon?Īmerican whiskey and bourbon are closely related, though they're not always identical. In 2017, the Tennessee whiskey captured 24 percent of the domestic market for American whiskey. What is the most popular whiskey in the U.S.? Each of these whiskies are made according to similar methods, but with slight differences in the grains used as the base of the spirit and how it's handled after distillation. Looking for a whiskey or bourbon gift? Check out our Best Whiskey and Bourbon Gifts page! What is American whiskey called?Īmerican whiskey can be called by more specific names, including bourbon whiskey, single malt, American rye whiskey (or just rye), corn whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey. The best way to find a good whiskey is to try the different styles and see which one you prefer. There are many choices when it comes to American whiskey, including carefully crafted single malt, Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, and rye. Whisky Guide! What is a good American whiskey? Want to learn more about the differences between whiskies? Visit our Whiskey vs. After distilling it's filtered through maple charcoal.It must be made in the state of Tennessee.It cannot be distilled to more than 160 proof.No additives like coloring or sugar are permitted.It ages in new charred white oak barrels.It goes into the barrel at no more than 125 proof.It cannot be distilled to more than 180 proof.Corn whiskey goes into uncharted barrels, and American single malt whiskey must be made with malted barley. But bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskey all start as grain that is mixed with pure freshwater, fermented, then distilled, aged in barrels, and possibly blended before bottling. By the way, the word whiskey comes from the Gaelic (Irish) word uisgebaugh (pronounced weez-ga-boch), which means "water of life." How is an American whiskey made?Įach style of American whiskey has its legal requirements as to the composition of the grain mashbill, maximum proof when it goes into the barrel, and aging time. They used leftover beer from local grains and distilled in small pot stills. The expertise to begin the American whiskey industry came with settlers who were originally from Ireland, Scotland, and France.

Tennessee whiskey can only be made in the state of Tennessee. But bourbon, single malt, and rye can be made anywhere in America. comes from Southern states, including Kentucky and Tennessee. Where does American whiskey come from?Īs the name suggests, American whiskey can only be made in the United States. Popular styles of American whiskey include bourbon, rye, single malt, and Tennessee whiskey. Whiskey is any grain spirit that is distilled in the U.S.
