The Difference Between Rye and Bourbon

You probably lie with that Secale cereale and bourbon both light under the class of “ whiskey ” ( and if you did n’t get it on , now you do ) , but do you know the differences between the two ?

Before we plunge in , a fast refresher : Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from texture mash of different varieties . Rye and bourbon are both specify by the specific eccentric of texture used to make them , just as cognac and armagnacbrandyare made from specific type of grape . But that ’s not the only matter that dictates whether a whisky is a rye or a bourbon . Location and methodology get into play as well . Here , how to tell the conflict between rye whiskey and bourbon , and what the two strong , brown disembodied spirit have in common .

Bourbon must be made in the U.S.; rye can be made anywhere.

whisky can only be separate as bourbon if it is made in the U S of A , similar to howtequilacan only be classified as tequila if it is made in Jalisco , Mexico . Rye , on the other hand , does n’t have to be made in America to be classify as a rye whisky . In fact , Canada has been producing rye for about as long asCanadahas been Canada .

Bourbon must be distilled primarily from corn; rye must be distilled primarily from rye (depending on where it’s made).

Bourbon must be made with a mash bill of over 51 percent corn whisky . Similarly , American rye made must be made from a mash containing over 51 pct rye . Canada is much more slack about their rye whiskey , and postulate only that the mash contains any amount of rye .

Bourbon has a rich taste; rye has a spicier taste.

Some studiesclaim that rye and Bourbon dynasty are indistinguishable . We respectfully take issue . Most Bourbon dynasty lover will agree that Bourbon dynasty has a full - incarnate , caramely taste . Rye , on the other hand , has a spicier and more grain - forward smack .

But bourbon and rye do have a few things in common.

Though the two forms of whiskey differ in many ways , they deal a lot of similarity . For fledgeling , neither rye whisky nor Bourbon dynasty can have an ABV high than 62.5 percent when first barreled , and neither can be bottled and distributed at gamy than 80 percent ABV ( any high and we get intomoonshineterritory ) . Also , while neither spirit has a minimal age period , to be considered “ straight rye ” or “ neat bourbon ” they have to be aged in casks for over two eld .

Now that you know the differences and similarity between the two delicious spirits , taste them out side - by - side in classic whisky cocktails like theManhattanor theMint Julep . After all that learning , you gain a drink or two .

Glass of whiskey and wheat