Perhaps you are making the move from unaged spirits like vodka and gin to whiskey. Or maybe you started drinking other styles of whiskey and are now curious about bourbon. Whatever the case, you’ve decided to take the next step from a casual drinker to a bourbon beginner. Welcome to the club! While it might feel overwhelming at first, just know that we enthusiasts all started our journeys at the beginning.
Before we get into some bottles to try, learning a few basics is important so that you can make smart buying decisions and get a better understanding of why you’re tasting what you’re tasting.
Learn the Basics
All bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons. Bourbon is a style of whiskey which has a few rules about its production. It can only be made in the United States and it is made predominantly from corn. Additionally, all bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak containers.
While there are some bourbons made with 100% corn, a traditional bourbon recipe is made with 60-75% corn, 10-20% rye, and 5-15% malted barley. This traditional recipe (hence the name) is the most common recipe used in bourbon production. However, if the rye portion exceeds 20%, it’s known as a high-rye bourbon. And if a producer decides to swap out the rye for wheat it’s known as a wheated bourbon.
Taste & Take Notes
While there isn’t a wrong way to drink bourbon — bourbon with Mountain Dew? You Dew you! — there is a better way to taste bourbon.
Step one: Use a whiskey tasting glass like a Glencairn. This type of glass is narrow at the mouth and more wide at the bottom allowing you to really stick your nose in there. A rocks glass is too wide for this purpose.
Step two: Open your mouth slightly when nosing the bourbon. The alcohol by volume (ABV) is at a minimum 40% (80 proof) which is much higher than a glass of wine. Opening your mouth allows the alcohol to travel in and out both saving you from a harsh ethanol burn and helping the bourbon scents to come through.
Step three: Taste twice. The first taste gives you some initial impressions, but it’s more akin to washing away whatever taste you had in your mouth. The second taste will give a better evaluation of the bourbon.
Step four: After tasting the bourbon neat, add a splash of water and re-taste. Adding water can help to release more nuanced flavors and scents. It also reduces the proof of the bourbon making it easier to drink.
Step five: Take notes, but don’t force it. Beginner bourbon drinkers may struggle to find the words to match the scents and tastes you’re experiencing. Be patient. This is a sensory experience that often takes you down memory lane. Jot down whatever comes to mind. There are no wrong answers. Retaste on another day and compare your notes.
Scents and aromas you can expect to find in bourbon include sweet notes like vanilla, maple syrup, and butterscotch. Fruits like apples and cherry are common as are cinnamon, tobacco, and oak. Leather, grass, and tobacco are other flavors you can find. As a side note – Distiller allows you to search by flavor points. If you find particular flavors you’re especially in love with and want more of, this feature is perfect for you.
Beginner Bourbon Suggestions
There are scores of bottles and brands to choose from, which can be overwhelming. But, there are plenty of selections which are modestly priced (under $50) and widely available. For beginners, I’d recommend bourbons that are not higher than 100 proof (50% ABV) which will also help keep the price down. Make sure to try traditional, wheated and high rye bourbons. And if you can taste them side by side, even better.
Traditional bourbons like Buffalo Trace Bourbon or Elijah Craig Small Batch would be a good start for beginners. Maker’s Mark and Larceny Small Batch are solid wheated bourbon choices. And bourbons like Woodford Reserve or Four Roses Bourbon are fine examples of the high-rye bourbon style. Be sure to check out our Beginner Bourbon Recommendations for more selections.
Explore
There’s a wide world out there for beginner bourbon drinkers to explore. Get out there and try bourbon in cocktails. Visit a bourbon distillery. Go to a bourbon tasting. Retail shops will often have tastings on the weekends. Be sure to sign up for your local shop’s tasting calendar. The point is to expose your tastebuds to as many different bourbons as you can. Ultimately, the most important lesson is to learn to drink what (and how) you like. Trust yourself and enjoy the journey!
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