The document provides an overview of bourbon, defining it as an American whiskey primarily made from corn and aged in new oak barrels. It outlines the legal requirements for bourbons, including aging specifications, and explains the distillation process from grain to final product. Additionally, it discusses the history of bourbon, its cultural significance, and variations in mash bills among different types of whiskey.

1. BOURBON 101presented by BEN SHELLHORN • SEPTEMBER 2011

2. INTRODUCTIONTASTING GUIDEPART 1: BEER• Fermentation• IngredientsPART 2: BOURBON• Definition • Law• Distillation• Localization• Aging• Mash BillCONCLUSIONS& QUESTIONSBOURBON

3. WHAT IS BOURBON?• American Whiskey • Mainly Corn• Aged in oakBOURBON

4. LEGAL DEFINITION• Must be a US product• Must be 51%+ corn• Aged-at least briefly-in new American oak• Distilled to no more than 160 proof• Introduced to oak at no more than 125 proof• Bottled at no less than 80 proofAGING & LABELING• Bourbon meeting the above requirements and aged 2 years, may be called STRAIGHT bourbon• Bourbon labeled Straight must label its age if less than 4 years• Labeled age must be the youngest bourbon in the mix• Blended bourbons may have artificial coloring & flavors LEGAL DEFINITION

5. INTERNATIONAL WHISKEYAll bourbon is whiskeyNot all whiskey is bourbonINTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

6. DISTILLATIONStarts with a fermented grain beverage (think beer)Fermented beverage is then “distilled” through a still(think boiled)Distilled beverage is purified/distilled again and aged in oakDISTILLATION PROCESS

7. DISTILLATION PROCESS

8. Start with GrainDISTILLATION PROCESS

9. Mill the grainDISTILLATION PROCESS

10. Create MashDISTILLATION PROCESS

11. Ferment the MashDISTILLATION PROCESS

12. Distill the FermentedBeverageDISTILLATION PROCESS

13. Result:Unaged Corn WhiskeyDISTILLATION PROCESS

14. Age the BourbonDISTILLATION PROCESS

15. Bottle the BourbonDISTILLATION PROCESS

16. Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon County, KYHowever, no Bourbon is currently made in Bourbon County, due to the redrawing of county lines over timeIn 1964, Congress recognized Bourbonas a distinct cultural productLOCALIZATION / HISTORY

17. All American Whiskey is aged in charred new American oak.Can be aged for a short period of time (Hudson Whiskeys) or a longer period (Pappy Van Winkle 23 year)Oak barrels are often resold to Tequila, Rum or Scotch whisky makers.AGING

18. Mash bill is a top secret for master distillers.Generally, most bourbons are about 2/3 cornRye Whiskeys must be 51%+ RyeCorn Whiskeys must be 80%+ CornRemaining grains can be anything elseMASH BILL

19. PRESENTATION BYBEN SHELLHORNSOURCESAMERICAN HOME BREWERS ASSOCIATIONBREWERS ASSOCIATIONCRAFTBEER.COMMORGUEFILE.COMWIKIPEDIA.ORGWILDWOOD BBQ TASTING NOTESBREUCKELEN GINAVAILABLE ONLINEPART 1 (BEER): http://www.tinyurl.com/3ps8vvdPART 2 (BOURBON): http://www.tinyurl.com/3zcyxnzCONCLUSIONS