How do you read a bourbon label?

So What Will a Bourbon Label Tell You?

The brand name. Which may have changed owners over the years.
The ABV. Alcohol by volume, which is the percentage of alcohol in the liquid.
The Proof.
Volume.
“Straight”
An age statement.
A lot or batch for single barrels and small batches.
A nice story.

What is the rarest Kentucky bourbon?

The Rarest Bourbons In The World

Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Straight Bourbon.
Orphan Barrel Whoop & Holler 28-Year-Old American Whiskey.
Buffalo Trace Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon.
Michter’s Limited Release 25-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

What can be labeled bourbon?

The bourbon must be aged for at least two years to be considered a straight bourbon. 3. The mash must be at least 51 percent corn. Maker’s Mark is way above the minimum at 70 percent.

What do the numbers on the bottom of a whiskey bottle mean?

In this format, the first number is the glassmaker’s permit to make liquor bottles, and the second number is the year the bottle was made.

How do you tell what year bourbon is?

Most bottle manufacturers molded the year into the glass at the bottom of the bottle in 2-digit format. You’ll often find it in the lower right portion when looking at the bottom (some dates are much easier to distinguish than others). This will usually tell you–within a year or two–when the whiskey was bottled.

How do you read a whiskey batch number?

Batch numbers are on the neck label, the first two digits are the year the batch was bottled, the third digit is the batch number starting at 1 and counting up for that year. For example batch 18-2 is the second batch of that type of spirit bottled in 2018.

How many KY bourbons are there?

At this moment, there are more than 20 working bourbon distilleries in Kentucky that make more than 200 of your favorite brands. Most of these working bourbon distilleries offer working tours and special visitor experiences that include tastings and gift shops.

How can you tell how old bourbon is?

What does straight mean on a whiskey label?

Under United States law, “Straight” Bourbon is whiskey that meets all the above requirements of Bourbon, but is aged for a minimum of two years. The differences between straight Bourbon whiskey and non-straight Bourbon whiskey are the modifications that are permitted.

Why is Michter’s celebration so expensive?

Michter’s brand history is up there for the richest in the bourbon business. The provenance of the whiskey inside the 25-year-old expression is unknown, as are the mashbill and release schedule. The distillery releases bottles when and only when a barrel of sufficient age meets their criteria (also unknown).

Is Angel’s Envy rare?

Being such an exclusive and time-intensive bourbon, Angel’s Envy Bourbon is produced in extremely limited quantities. Bacardi Limited produces no more than 8,000 bottles per year, which qualifies this bourbon to be among some of the most scarce bourbons available.

Does Bourbon have to be made in Kentucky to be Bourbon?

It doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky to qualify as bourbon, but with two centuries of whiskey-making experience, it’s safe to say the Bluegrass State knows what it’s doing when it comes to America’s favorite whiskey.

Why is whiskey made in Kentucky?

“Large beds of limestone in Kentucky naturally filter iron out of water (iron creates unwanted flavors in whiskey), and the limestone enriches the water with calcium and magnesium, minerals that add complexity of flavor during fermentation of the grains.” The state’s seasons also contribute to the quality of the spirit.

Who invented bourbon whiskey?

This easy-drinking whiskey is named for Elijah Craig, a Baptist preacher who is often credited with inventing bourbon—even though there’s no real proof to back up that claim. The legend claims that Craig was the first to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels. Again, there’s no proof. But it’s a nice story, all the same.

Is Evan Williams Black Label a good Bourbon?

Their Black Label is the #2 selling Kentucky bourbon (Beam’s white label is #1) so you’ll often see Evan Williams Black sitting in the well at any given watering hole. While it’s not a bad bourbon, there’s a reason it’s in the well.