Bourbon whiskey has become the drink of the nation with popular brands like Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s widely available. While these are great for mixing in some Coke or incorporating into other liquor recipes, they aren’t necessarily the best bourbon whiskey for beginners. If you’re looking to try bourbon for the first time, you may be confused about which brand is worth a try.
Bourbon whiskey is one of my favorite alcoholic beverages. I love bourbon, but bourbon whiskey has been somewhat intimidating for me until recently. I’ve made some good choices and some not so great choices based on my lack of knowledge of what to buy, what type of flavor it has, and where I should take the next step in my journey with bourbon.
There are a lot of types of whiskey out there, but one particularly stands out — bourbon. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that must be distilled in the United States, and must also be made from at least 51 percent corn. While those are the basic requirements for bourbon, this doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there with an interesting flavoring process or an even better quality. And that is what this blog covers — the best bourbons on the market and why they’re so good.
But folks, whiskey is actually really easy to drink. Especially if you go for the right stuff. The best way to ease into whiskey is with a good bourbon. And we have just the thing for you: our Beginner’s Bourbon Variety Pack! This pack includes four different bourbons that are perfect for beginners and seasoned drinkers alike.
So read on, grab a glass and let’s get started on your journey into whiskey drinking.
What is Bourbon?
Bourbon is an American style of whiskey made from corn, rye and/or wheat and aged in new charred oak barrels. It’s named after Bourbon County in Kentucky, which was once a major trading hub for whiskey (though bourbon can now be made anywhere in the United States).
Now that you have a bit of whiskey knowledge under your belt, it’s time to try some. Bourbon is a great place to start as it’s less expensive and easier to find than scotch whisky.
Bourbon is produced in the United States, primarily in Kentucky, which makes up 95% of the world’s bourbon supply. Because bourbon is made in America, you won’t find any confusing spellings like “whisky,” but you will find different types of bourbons and people who love each type just as much.
First and foremost, bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn (most use more like 70%). It must also be aged in brand new charred oak barrels and cannot be distilled to more than 160 proof or aged above 125 proof.
If you are new to whiskey or are looking for a good gift for someone who is, there are a few bottles that can serve as a great introduction. These bottles are widely available, affordable and taste fantastic neat or in cocktails.
We have provided you with tips on spotting the best bourbon whiskey for beginners. The market is flooded with different heavy and complex whiskeys that can make a beginner quite lost when trying to pick one for his or her own. You now know about some of the important factors that you need to keep an eye out for when shopping around for bourbon. Using these tips will help you narrow down your search in order to hunt down the best bottle of bourbon – leading to the best drinking experience, no matter what type of drinker you are.
