chabybucko/iStock/GettyImages As any whiskey maker will tell you, all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. And all sour mash is bourbon
whiskey but not all bourbon is sour mash. Both bourbon and sour mash whiskeys are uniquely American spirits, descended from moonshine and produced primarily in Kentucky and Tennessee. Connoisseurs argue over which is superior, but all agree that both are fine additions to the distiller's craft. Bourbon whiskey is made in the United States, nearly all of it in Kentucky and Tennessee. Traditional methods use limestone-spring water and oak
barrels, both of which are abundant in these states. Bourbon whiskey had its beginnings in territorial Kentucky in a county named for the Bourbons, the ruling family of France at the time. Farmers used leftover silage corn instead of wheat or rye, the customary grains used for mash. When the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791 took a toll on distillers in other western states, the distillers in the
Blue Ridge Mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee were able to hide from the revenue agents successfully enough to build a thriving, unregulated industry. The moonshine whiskey that these mountain folk produced evolved into the refined whiskeys called bourbon and sour mash. The DifferenceBourbon's unique character comes from the 51 to 79 percent corn in its recipe. The fermentation process begins with the addition of water to crushed or rolled grain, and the fermented mash is distilled to produce a spirit that is no more than 80 percent alcohol by volume. Bourbon may be double-distilled and aged at least two years in charred oak barrels. The result is a mellow, woody blend of flavors that may be bottled straight out of a single barrel or blended from a number of barrels in a small batch. Sour mash whiskey uses the bourbon recipe but starts the mash with leftovers from a previous batch, much like the starter in sourdough bread. The sour mash process gives a sweeter, deeper flavor to the final product. The alcohol-by-volume content of bourbon and sour mash is adjusted to between 40 and 50 percent (80 to 100 proof) at bottling time. LabelingThe name bourbon has been legally controlled only since 1964, so makers exist in other counties. However, only bourbon made in Kentucky may use the name of the state on the label. Tennessee whiskey uses the bourbon recipe, but the distilled spirits are filtered through maple charcoal, adding a different overtone to the flavors. Makers specify "sour mash" on the label if that process is used. Several societies are devoted to the study of these American spirits, and tours of distilleries are popular in the hill country of Tennessee and Kentucky. TipWell-made bourbon (Kentucky or Tennessee whiskey or sour mash) is a rich, sweet whiskey better tasted straight and in moderation, hence the phrase "sippin' whiskey." WarningAs with any distilled spirits or other alcohol-containing drinks, overconsumption can lead to sensory impairment and damage to organs. YOU MAY ALSO LIKELast Updated on August 11, 2022 by Ah, bourbon-the nectar of the Gods and the water of life, a smooth, complex spirit that Americans have enjoyed for centuries. But what exactly is bourbon, and why is it confused with sour mash? Is there a difference between bourbon and sour mash? Here’s the answer! Sour Mash & Bourbon Compared Sour mash basically refers to a particular process used by distillers to add a specific flavor to the whiskey. Bourbon is a category of American whiskey made following distinct requirements and restrictions. A sour mash whiskey can be classified as bourbon if it is made under the same bourbon restrictions (51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, etc). A whiskey maker makes sour mash whiskey by adding a portion of still-fermenting mash to the new batch of spirits. On the other hand, bourbon uses all new ingredients for each batch. It gives the bourbon a sweeter flavor profile. As a result, bourbon typically has richer color and deeper flavor than sour mash whiskey. Here’s A Closer LookHistoryJames C. Crow is credited with developing the sour mashing process in the early 1800s. He discovered that he could easily control the fermentation process by using a portion of mash from the last batch of spirit. The sour mash refers to the process where the previously fermented mash is used for new batches, just like the starter in sourdough bread. Bourbon has a long and rich history in the United States, dating back to the early days of American settlement. Made in Kentucky, it gets its name from bourbon county. Moreso, it is made from a mash of corn, rye, and barley and matured in new oak barrels. Production & DistillationThe sour mash whiskey adds some of the spent grain from the previous batch of spirit into the fermented mash like sourdough bread. The process is like a sourdough starter that adds beneficial bacteria and enzymes which help to break down the starches and sugars in the grain. The sour mash is then distilled and aged in new charred oak barrels. Bourbon whiskey comes from grain mash, typically corn, rye, and barley. It is aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years (straight bourbon), but it can be aged for much longer. In fact, there is no aging requirement for a whiskey to be called bourbon [1]. Jack Daniel’s uses a bourbon recipe, but it has a different distillation process because it uses the Lincoln County Process and whiskey sour mash. Alcohol ContentBourbon whiskey must be distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume) and bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume content). It typically has an alcohol content of between 40% and 50% at bottling time. Most sour mash whiskeys have an alcohol content of around 40%. It means that they are slightly less alcoholic than other types of whiskey. LabelMajor bourbon and Tennessee whiskeys use the sour mash technique in their production. A portion of the fermented grain mixture from the last batch of whiskey starts the fermentation process for the new batches. Also, it is used to produce other types of whiskey, including Tennessee whiskey, and they specify it on their labels. Tennessee whiskey distilleries like Jack Daniel’s put a label on their Tennessee whiskey bottles. The label is one of the most important aspects of any straight bourbon bottle. It tells the story of the distillery, the distiller, and the bourbon itself. Moreso, the label must include the distillery’s name and address and the distiller’s signature. Mash BillsThe most common bourbon mash contains: 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% barley; or, 65% corn, 35% rye; or, 51% corn, 37% rye, and 12% barley. While not all whiskey uses the same mash bill, the final product must be made with at least 51% corn to be called bourbon. On the other hand, the term sour mash is used to describe a mash used in the distillation process, which is a combination of water, yeast, and grain. The said combination is removed from an older batch of alcohol to start the fermentation of a new batch. FAQsIs bourbon made from sour mash? No, bourbon is not made from sour mash. However, some types of bourbons use the sour mash process. The sour mash process helps control the pH level of the fermenting alcohol before adding live yeast. Is Maker’s Mark a sour mash whiskey? Yes, Maker’s Mark is a sour mash whiskey. The sour mash bourbon uses some residual yeast and mashed grains from the last batch. It allows for a more consistent flavor profile from batch to batch. Key TakeawaysAll bourbon and sour mash is whiskey, but not all sour mash is bourbon. There is a difference between bourbon and sour mash, but it’s not really logical to compare them. Sour mashing is a process used in different types of whiskey like rye whiskey, bourbon, and Tennessee whiskey. To make sour mash whiskey, a portion of the “mash,” or grain mixture, from a previous batch of whiskey is used as the starter for the new batch. It adds bacteria to the new mash, which helps to create a unique flavor profile. Meanwhile, to be called bourbon, whiskey needs to follow strict requirements. Reference:
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here. Does sour mash whiskey taste sour?Sour mash whiskey isn't really a type, even though many people still think it is. Although souring a mash will cause yeast to create different flavours than they would otherwise, there is no consistency in how they differ. A soured mash does not produce a sour taste in the whiskey.
What is the difference between sour mash whiskey and bourbon whiskey?A whiskey maker makes sour mash whiskey by adding a portion of still-fermenting mash to the new batch of spirits. On the other hand, bourbon uses all new ingredients for each batch. It gives the bourbon a sweeter flavor profile. As a result, bourbon typically has richer color and deeper flavor than sour mash whiskey.
Is sour mash considered bourbon?As the saying goes, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. The same can be true for sour mash: all sour mash is bourbon, but not all bourbon is sour mash. Bourbon is only made in the United States and has to be made of at least 51% corn and aged in charred oak barrels to be labeled as such.
What's sour mash whiskey?What Is Sour Mash Whiskey? When you see “Sour Mash” on the label, it means the whiskey was distilled using the sour mashing process. What does that mean? Simply that distillers used part of the fermented “mash” (a mixture of grain, yeast, and water) from the previous batch to create the new batch.
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What does sour mash whiskey taste like
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