From Bourbon To American Single Malt, American Whiskeys You Should Know

American whiskey has managed to expand way beyond its classical roots in Kentucky and Tennessee. Today, it has evolved into an innovative, craft-driven powerhouse that spans all 50 states. This is impressive, especially since the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has legal authority to define specific types of alcoholic beverages, aging requirements, grain proportions for each distinct American spirit category, and how they are made. This comes under the purview of the Federal Standards of Identity set forth by the TTB. This unsobered guide breaks down the primary American whiskey styles such as Bourbon, Rye, Tennessee Whiskey, and the newly codified American Single Malt. It also details mash bills, aging mandates, flavor profiles, and essential bottles to know.

American Whiskey Styles To Know

1. Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon whiskey has a complex flavor profile with notes of sweet corn, heavy oak char, rich vanilla, caramel, toasted nuts, and subtle baking spice. What is more, in order to be legally deemed bourbon, it must comply with the following requirements:

• It must be produced in the US.
• The whiskey must be distilled to no more than 160 proof or 80 percent ABV, and entered into barrels at no more than 125 proof or 62.5 percent ABV.
• Lastly, it must be aged for at least two years with zero added colorings or flavorings.

Minimum Primary Grain: 51 Percent Corn 

Cask Mandates: New, charred oak

Bottles You Should Try: Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrel, Maker's Mark 46, and Weller Special Reserve

2. Rye Whiskey

Rye Whiskey is the original style of whiskey in America. In the Mid-Atlantic states such as Maryland and Pennsylvania, this particular type of whiskey predates even Bourbon. It has a peppery spice along with dry rye bread notes on the palate. On the nose, there are notes of cinnamon, clove, mint, and dark dried fruits. Flavor-wise, it has less corn sweetness than Bourbon.

Minimum Primary Grain: 51 Percent Rye

Cask Mandates: New, charred oak

Bottles You Should Try: Knob Creek 7-Year Rye, Wild Turkey 101 Rye, WhistlePig 10-Year Small Batch, and Sazerac Rye

Also Read: American Whiskey Vs Canadian Whisky: Key Differences Explained

3. Tennessee Whiskey

Tennessee whiskey has an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel. With mellowed corn sweetness, charcoal warmth, banana, and maple syrup notes, it has a flavor profile that would please any ardent whiskey drinker. In order for a Tennessee whiskey to be legally considered Tennessee whiskey, it must follow all of the criteria laid out for bourbon. In addition to this, it must also have been strictly produced within the Tennessee region of the US. In Lincoln County, unaged whiskey spirit also goes through an additional filtration process wherein it is steeped in sugar maple charcoal prior to entering the oak barrels for aging.

Minimum Primary Grain: 51 Percent Corn 

Cask Mandates: New, charred oak and Sugar Maple Charcoal Filter

Bottles You Should Try: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select, Uncle Nearest 1856, and George Dickel Bottled in Bond

4. American Single Malt

This is the newest official category in the American whiskey landscape. It has been formalized by the TTB as an official, distinct category of American whiskey. Made from 100% malted barley, American Single Malt is distilled at a single US distillery. It has notes of ripe orchard fruits, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, malted biscuit, and distinctive local smoke such as mesquite or oak. It is also mashed, distilled, and aged in the US in oak casks of capacity not exceeding 700 liters.

How American Single Malt Differs From Scotch: While both Scotch and American Single Malt utilize 100 percent malted barley, American producers mostly leverage native oak barrels and local peat/mesquite smoke such as Texas scrub oak or Pacific Northwest peat. The drastic climate variations between the two countries also help accelerate the aging process.

Minimum Primary Grain: 100 Percent Malted Barley

Cask Mandates: Oak casks (Less than 700L capacity)

Bottles You Should Try: Westward American Single Malt, Stranahan's Blue Peak, Del Bac Dorado, and Santa Fe Spirits Colkegan

Also Read: From Rye To Single Malt: 7 Irish Whiskeys Under $60

Summing Up

There is a reason why American whiskey has the renown that it does throughout the world. Today, its whiskey landscape is far richer and more varied than ever. From time-honored Kentucky bourbons to innovative 100 percent malted barley craft single malts, the whiskey heritage of the US is truly one of the most diverse in the whole entire world. If you are someone who has a penchant for varied whiskies, American whiskeys are certainly something that you do not want to miss. There is a wide variety that you can try, each with different grain bills and regional maturation environments.