What is the difference between...

Bourbon and Scotch?

Honest question.

I have a low post count so far. At least I'm not asking you to ask me anything. LOL

I'm enjoying a nip of Booker's right now. Booker's is a really great expensive bourbon. ProfessorGAC was kind enough to give me the bottle I'm currently drinking as a 20th Anniversary present. It's straight out of the barrel. Not blended with other barrels and not cut with water. It's about 116 proof.

Bourbon must be made in Kentucky. If it's not, it can't legally be called bourbon.

Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn as one of the grains. Most contain much more than 51%. Usually aroune 70%. Also, bourbon must be aged in charred oak barrels that can only be used once. After they're used for making bourbon, they're often sold to other whiskey manufacturers. But for the purposes of making bourbon.....the barrel must be used only once.

But simply, bourbon is usually sweet and smokey. Scotch is lighter and has a more aromatic "flowery" taste. Both can be complex though.

otherwise it's whiskey.

Bourbon must be made in Kentucky. Okay, a follow-up question. How does whiskey differ from scotch? Both are whiskey, are they not?

I think it has to do with the distilling process and the grains used. Basically, all whiskey is made from grain and is then aged in barrels.

Good vodka is made from potatoes usually and is distilled at least twice, sometimes more. Gin is made from juniper berries. Etc, etc.

used to make the liquors and the regions they are produced in

here this might clear some things up http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/archive/index.php/t-24396.html
here too http://www.mindspring.com/~mccarthys/whiskey/corn.htm

Is this place a fucking plethora of information or what?

As far as DU is concerned in my opinion..."Fuckin' A" :toast:

The smartest people on the net...IMHO!

Whiskey does not

:shrug:

Bourbon is aged in virgin charred oak barrels. It's quite smoky and dark.

But you're right, other whiskeys, like Canadian whiskeys aren't all that smokey.

Scotch barley malt, dried in a peat fire.
Bourbon is made with corn in addition to the barley.

:beer:

A whiskey distilled from mash not less than 51% of which was corn grain.

Scotch Whiskey is a product of Scotland distilled from a mash of grain, primarily barley.

To be classified a whiskey, a liquor must not be less than 80 proof (forty percent alcohol) .... distilled from a mash of grain.

Only Scotch Whisky is spelled without the "e".

From The Bartender's Guide.

...O...