What is Bourbon?
What is Bourbon?
Bourbon is a distilled spirit that meets the following criteria:
- Produced in the United States
- Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof 80% ABV
- Entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof 62.5% ABV
- Bottled at more than 80 proof / 40% ABV
Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period. Products aged for a few months can be sold as bourbon.
Bourbon that has been aged for fewer than three years cannot legally be referred to as whiskey (or whisky) in the EU.