Bourbon
A type of American whiskey made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels.
Whiskey
A distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash and aged in barrels. Bourbon is one type of whiskey.
Mash Bill
The grain recipe used to make a whiskey, typically including corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley.
Corn
The primary grain in bourbon, contributing sweetness and body.
Rye
A grain often used in bourbon mash bills that adds spice and dryness.
Wheat
A grain sometimes used in place of rye, producing a softer, smoother bourbon style.
Malted Barley
A grain used to aid fermentation and add subtle nutty or toasted flavors.
Proof
A measure of alcohol strength. In the U.S., proof is double the alcohol by volume (ABV).
ABV
Alcohol by volume — the percentage of alcohol in a spirit.
Neat
Served straight from the bottle with no ice, water, or garnish.
On the Rocks
Served over ice.
Finish
The flavors and sensations that remain after swallowing a sip of bourbon.
Nose
The aromas perceived when smelling a bourbon before tasting.
Palate
The flavors and textures experienced while tasting bourbon.
Barrel
A wooden vessel, typically oak, used to age bourbon and develop flavor.
Char
The level of burn applied to the inside of a barrel, influencing flavor, color, and aroma.
Aging
The process of resting bourbon in barrels to develop complexity over time.
Straight Bourbon
Bourbon aged for at least two years with no added flavors or coloring.
Small Batch
A loosely defined term suggesting bourbon produced from a limited selection of barrels.
Single Barrel
Bourbon bottled from one individual barrel rather than blended from many.
Cut
The separation of alcohol during distillation to remove undesirable elements.
Still
The equipment used to distill fermented grain mash into alcohol.
Distillation
The process of heating fermented mash to separate alcohol from water and impurities.
Dilution
The addition of water or melting ice, which can open aromas and soften alcohol intensity.
Smoked
A technique that introduces smoke aroma to bourbon or cocktails, often using wood or herbs.
Glassware
The type of glass used to serve bourbon, which can influence aroma and experience.
Garnish
An aromatic or visual accent added to a drink, such as citrus peel or herbs.
Looking for deeper understanding? Explore Bourbon101 for foundational insight, or Bourbon Academy for advanced mastery.