What makes bourbon, a bourbon?

Well sir, one might prefer their manhattan with Southern Comfort or Jack Daniels, but they would not be ordering a bourbon drink.  Bourbon is a category unto itself which follows multiple guidelines for that 'bourbon' label to be imprinted on it's side.

Right away we are off to Kentucky, the home of 95% of bourbon whiskeys.  In fact the word bourbon and Kentucky are pretty synonymous, although any US State may produce a bourbon. (think of Champagne, France)

Bourbon is made primarily of corn (51% or more to be exact) and the rest might be some combination of rye, wheat, malt and barley although some bourbon might boast 100% corn usage.  Rye Whiskey indicates that 51% or more of the grain used is rye which gives whiskey a slightly sweeter and spicier flavor.  Then their are your Sour Mashes.  This is your Jack Daniels category.  Sour mash means recycled grains.  This is how Jack Daniels consistently tastes exactly the same.  They use the the same grains time and time again with some fresh grains to keep the old mash living. (think yeast in some ancient bread recipes)  Canadian whiskeys are another beast of it's own which includes your Canadian Club, Seagrams 7 and VO and Crown royals in the mix.  Canadians use identical processes to be bourbon but Federal law states that the term "bourbon" means manufactured within the United States.

Other federal regulations put on bourbon whiskey is that it can only be distilled at 160% alcohol (or 80 proof).  It will be bottled at 80 proof or more.  Water is the only ingredient to be added to the spirit in the distillation process, no additives.

"Straight bourbon" has slightly different rules.  These must be aged for 2-4 years and all use some sour mash in the product.  Sour mash is a way of regulating the yeast in a whiskey keeping the correct pH balance when new grains are introduced into the next fermentation.

Bourbon is barrel aged in first fill charred American oak barrels.  First fill means that the oak is used only once so you get the most flavor out of that barrel.  (The second fill of a barrel might be used for a beer, scotch or rum so some of that whiskey taste real read through into the second fill product.)  The first fill will give a whiskey it's reddish color,  while adding caramelized sugars and give it a slightly smokey, unique taste.

The creator of bourbon is unknown although some people may argue who did what first.  the name bourbon is still a relatively young term only having been on the lips of the human kind since the late 1800's.

Southern Comfort is actually a cordial.  It starts as a corn whiskey product and then adds sugar, fruits spices and many  other ingredients to it, to develop it's own distinct "smoother than straight whiskey" taste.

Whiskeys go back in American culture a long while and each one has a truly unique flavor despite mainly having the same ingredients.  Next time you go out, try a Makers Mark Bourbon neat and see how much the flavor opens up by adding a small amount of water.  Then try a Whistlepig 100% rye whiskey and do the same.  There is so much to love in each spirit, you may even opt for a third.