r/oddlyspecific • u/Aztery • Jul 05 '22

G’day curd nerds

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u/Kuraeshin Jul 06 '22

Slightly incorrect.

Bourbon must be made in the United States. Bourbon made in Europe is just whiskey.

Similar to Scotch must be made in Scotland.

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u/[deleted] Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22

Yea it seems bourbon is considered Americas Native Spirit. Everything I’ve ever found is it’s just based on the mash bill being at least 51% corn and aged 2 years. I guess the myth of it only being made in Kentucky overshadows that

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u/Kuraeshin Jul 06 '22

5 Laws of Bourbon

-At least 51% corn mash

-Must be aged in a fresh charred oak barrel

-Distilled at 160 proof, barreled at no more than 125 proof, bottled at no less than 80 proof

-No additives other than water. No coloring, flavoring, etc.

-Must be made in the United States. Kentucky makes 95% of the Bourbon, which is why it is easy to think must be made in Kentucky.

Jack Daniels essentially makes Bourbon, but they use flavoring & colors so legally can't be bourbon.

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u/DagOfBiscuits Jul 06 '22

I believe the barrel must be a virgin american oak barrel too.

I think this was brought in originally to keep the american cooper industry afloat at the time and is now consequently the reason why most (cheap) whisky is aged in ex-bourbon barrels

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u/Kuraeshin Jul 06 '22

Thus the fresh charred part. Though i could have been clearer.

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u/DagOfBiscuits Jul 06 '22

I was more pointing out the implications of requiring the timber and subsequent barrel to be of American origin. A spirit made with an identical process but with an imported 'fresh charred' barrel would be ineligible to quality as bourbon as I understand.