American Whiskey

American Whiskey

American whiskey is a broad category, with bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and rye as its key styles. It began to take shape in the late 18th century, with Kentucky and Tennessee becoming whiskey heartlands. Bourbon, for example, must be made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. The use of column stills (continuous stills) in modern production allows for greater volume and consistency. A famous milestone: the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 helped standardize quality in American whiskey. Expect rich, bold flavors like caramel, oak, and spice.