Montgomery County Spirits Q3 - 2017 - 20

BOURBON

he mystique surrounding bourbon invokes images

Four: The whiskey used to make bourbon has

of dark-paneled bars, amber liquid swirling in an Old

been aged in charred new oak barrels-not untouched

Fashioned glass and premium aged spirits, like Pappy

wood, not used barrels, not cedar or walnut, not stain-

Van Winkle, that are rich on the palate and the price tag.

less steel.

The myths are numerous, as are the legends, but both

Perhaps the most important of the barrel's descrip-

are based on a reality: that a fine bourbon is a work of art.

tors is "charred." As flames caress the inside of the

So let's paint a picture, starting with the basics.

barrels, they unlock deep, complex flavors in the
wood. Carefully controlled toasting influences the

THE BASIC DEFINITIONS

presence of vanillin, contributing to the rich vanilla

One: All bourbon is whiskey-but not all whiskey is

notes that grace a fine sip of bourbon. The charring

bourbon. In a nutshell, whiskey is a grain-based distilled

process further breaks the wood's components into

spirit, typically with a mash bill of malted barley, rye, corn,

sugars that add even more flavor to the spirit, while

wheat or some combination of those. The flavor is affected

the char hints at the toasty chemical process-like the

by the grain, by the process of malting and smoking the

light brown shell of a flame-kissed toasted marshmal-

grain and, of course, by the quality of the distilling process.

low and the black crust if the marshmallow catches

Two: Bourbon is made from a grain bill of at least

on fire. At the same time, the wood's tannic acid and

51 percent corn. Corn provides sweetness, while, as
comparison, rye contributes spice and wheat offers a
mellow touch.
Three: Bourbon is distilled to a maximum of 80
percent ABV (160 proof).

20 MONTGOMERY COUNTY DLC

charring promote bourbon's delightful amber color.
The influence of the barrels is so important that
many distillers have their own cooperage. BrownForman, an American-owned spirits and wine company, makes and chars its own oak barrels using a

Montgomery County Spirits Q3 - 2017

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