Bourbon

Bourbon is America's native whiskey: corn-led, aged in new charred oak, and full of the vanilla, caramel and baking-spice flavours that make it one of the easiest whiskies to love. Our range runs from everyday pours like Jim Beam, Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace to small-batch and single-barrel bottlings from Basil Hayden's, Baker's, Woodford Reserve and Maker's Mark, plus rare Buffalo Trace releases such as EH Taylor. Every bottle ships Australia-wide, with free delivery across NSW on orders over $150.

What makes a whiskey a bourbon?

Bourbon is defined by US law, not by marketing. To carry the name it must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak containers, distilled to no more than 80% ABV, put into the barrel at no more than 62.5% and bottled at 40% or above, with nothing added except water. That brand-new charred barrel is the key: it gives bourbon its deep colour, sweetness and vanilla notes far faster than the reused casks Scotch relies on. Most bourbon is made in Kentucky, but it can legally come from anywhere in the US.

Reading a bourbon label

• Straight bourbon has been aged at least two years, and if it is under four years old the label must say how old it is.
• Bottled-in-Bond means the product of one distillery and one distilling season, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse and bottled at 50% ABV.
• Small batch and single barrel describe how many barrels went into the bottling. Single barrel bottlings vary slightly from barrel to barrel.
• Wheated bourbon uses wheat instead of rye as its second grain, which gives a softer, rounder style (Maker's Mark and Weller are classic examples). High-rye bourbons are spicier and drier.

How to drink bourbon

Neat or with a single large ice cube for sipping bottlings; with a splash of water to open up higher-proof bourbon; and in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan or Whiskey Sour for everything else. A good everyday bourbon makes a far better cocktail than an expensive one, so keep the rare bottles for sipping.

Explore the wider American whiskey range, including Tennessee whiskey and rye, or browse all whisky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bourbon to buy in Australia?

For everyday drinking and cocktails, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey offer serious flavour for the money. For sipping, step up to a small-batch or single-barrel bottling such as Basil Hayden's, Baker's 7 Year Old or Maker's Mark 46. Collectors chase allocated Buffalo Trace releases like EH Taylor and Weller, which are scarce in Australia.

What is the difference between bourbon and whisky?

Bourbon is a type of whiskey. What sets it apart is the law: it must be made in the USA from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Scotch is made from malted barley in Scotland and usually aged in second-hand casks, which is why bourbon tastes sweeter and Scotch tends to be drier, maltier or smokier.

Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's is sold as Tennessee whiskey. It is made in a very similar way to bourbon, but it is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before ageing, a step known as the Lincoln County Process, and the brand chooses to label it as Tennessee whiskey rather than bourbon.

Does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky?

No. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States. Kentucky produces the large majority of it thanks to its limestone-filtered water, its climate and a long distilling tradition, but bourbon from Tennessee, Texas, New York and other states is perfectly legitimate.

How long does an opened bottle of bourbon last?

Bourbon will not spoil once opened, but its flavour slowly fades as air gets in. A bottle that is more than half full will taste much the same for a year or two. Once it drops below a third, aim to finish it within six months or so. Store it upright, out of sunlight and away from heat.