What Is Bourbon Whiskey?
Bourbon is American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and produced anywhere in the USA (though mostly Kentucky). Its signature vanilla, caramel, and oak character comes from those new barrels.
Quick answer
Bourbon is American whiskey made from a grain mash of at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 160 proof, aged in new charred oak barrels, and bottled at minimum 80 proof. It must be produced in the USA.
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Build your Taste DNA →Bourbon legal definition in plain English
Bourbon must be: made in the USA; from a mash of at least 51% corn; distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV); aged in new charred oak barrels; bottled at 80 proof minimum. There is no age requirement for the basic label (though 'straight bourbon' requires 2 years). No flavour additives permitted.
Bourbon vs Scotch: the differences that matter
Bourbon uses new charred oak every time — that fresh wood is why it tastes like vanilla and caramel. Scotch uses second-fill casks (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry), which give more subtle maturation. Bourbon is typically sweeter and heavier on the front palate; Scotch is drier and more complex in the mid-palate. Community rating on DrinkNeatly shows both peak around 4.2/5 — neither is objectively superior.
Best first bourbons by community rating
Buffalo Trace (90 proof, £28) is the standard recommendation: vanilla, caramel, approachable. Woodford Reserve (43.2%, £35) is the step-up bottle. Maker's Mark (45%, £28) is wheated and the smoothest in the range. All three score ≥3.9/5 on DrinkNeatly with hundreds of ratings — reliable consensus picks, not marketing.
BourbonWoodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon
$45
Value Pick
BourbonBlanton's
Blanton's Gold Edition
$133
BourbonWild Turkey
Wild Turkey 101
$43
Value Pick
BourbonWoodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
$70
Value Pick
BourbonBulleit
Bulleit Bourbon
$36
Value Pick
BourbonColonel EH Taylor
Colonel EH Taylor Small Batch
$76
Value Pick
BourbonBooker's
Booker's True Barrel Bourbon (Batch 2024-01E)
$108
BourbonMaker's Mark
Maker's Mark 46
$46
Value Pick
BourbonEagle Rare
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old
$48
Value Pick
BourbonFour Roses
Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof
$57
Value Pick
BourbonBasil Hayden's
Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon
$57
Value Pick
BourbonBuffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
$30
Value PickFrequently asked questions
What is bourbon?
Bourbon is American whiskey made from a grain mash of at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 160 proof, aged in new charred oak barrels, and bottled at minimum 80 proof. It must be produced in the USA.
What does bourbon taste like?
Bourbon typically has vanilla, caramel, oak, and sometimes fruit or spice notes. The new charred oak barrel imparts sweetness and colour. High-rye bourbons are spicier; wheated bourbons are softer and sweeter.
What is the best bourbon?
Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Blanton's Single Barrel, and Four Roses Single Barrel are the community's top-rated bourbons on DrinkNeatly by community rating.