Young’s Market Company’s Craft Spirits Specialists FROM THE BAR STOOL FROM YOUR YOUNG’S MARKET CRAFT WINTER 2014 Issue No. 10 SPIRITS SPECIALISTS Our guide to new products, things we have learned, people we have met, places we have visited, and upcoming events The Ultimate Guide to that are getting us excited INSIDE YOUNG’S • What Is Bourbon • Production Of Bourbon • Categories & Mash Bills MARKET • Distilleries • Buffalo Trace • Heaven Hill COMPANY • Breckenridge • Old Forester • Woodford Reserve • Berkshire Mountain Distillers BOURBON & • Hudson • St George Distillery • Templeton Distillery American • Balcones Distillery • Fremont Mischief Distillery • Piedmont Distillery WHISKEY • Low Gap Distillery • Jack Daniels • Whiskeys Descriptions Portfolio
[email protected] WHAT IS BOURBON?! PAGE2 What is Bourbon? “In brief, bourbon is a whiskey, made predominantly from corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. According to the United States government, bourbon sold in the United States must meet these requirements: 1. Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. 2. Aged in new charred-oak barrels. 3. Distilled to no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume (ABV). In practice, most bourbon is distilled out at a lower proof than this. 4. Entered into the barrel for aging at a proof no higher than 125 (62.5% ABV). 5. Bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% ABV). Bourbon is, as noted, 51% corn. The remaining 49% includes other grains. Usually, those grains include wheat, rye, malted rye, and malted barley, in any combination. Some distilleries, though, have experimented with rice, oats, and other grains. Bourbon must be aged, but there are no specific requirements as to time.