Knowing what makes whiskey a bourbon is helpful. Knowing the rules for straight bourbon whiskey provides even more certainty. You'll have a better idea of what's in your bottle of bourbon!
Jump to:
- What is straight bourbon whiskey?
- Regarding the tasting lineup
- Straight Bourbon Whiskey (and one outlier)
- Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit
- Isaac Bowman Pioneer Spirit
- Jefferson’s Reserve
- Joseph Magnus Triple Cask Finished
- Uncle Nearest 1856
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Select
- Final Thoughts
- More bourbon whiskey tasting notes
- Comments
What is straight bourbon whiskey?
The answer lies in the definition of bourbon in general, and the straight bourbon rules in particular.
Definition of bourbon
I found a nice, concise article from CNBC that gave a summary of the five bourbon rules:
- Must be made in the United States (not necessarily in Kentucky, although the vast majority is from there)
- Must be aged in New American Oak barrels (the barrel lobby loves that one)
- Mash must be at least 51% corn (which is why bourbons are generally sweeter than other types of whiskey)
- Can only enter the barrel at 125 proof (62.5%ABV) or lower, and only enter the bottle at 80 proof (40%ABV) or higher
- Only water may be added to bourbon, and only to reduce the proof (no colors or flavors)
Other considerations
- There’s no minimum duration for aging bourbon (except for bottled-in-bond bourbons)
- Any bourbon that’s aged less than four years must contain an age statement of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
- If the spirit is aged a minimum of two years it can be called Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
- Blended bourbon “may contain added coloring, flavoring, and other spirits, such as un-aged neutral grain spirits, but at least 51% of the product must be straight bourbon” (this last bit came from that go-to-repository-of-knowledge, Wikipedia).
I think I’ll stick with straight bourbons given the chance.
Regarding the tasting lineup
It was coincidental that a recent Whisky Wednesday tasting I went to at Gordon’s DTX was all about bourbon (or maybe not).
All the bourbons were straight bourbon whiskies, with one exception - the Uncle Nearest 1856 was a “Premium Whiskey,” and while I’m not sure what that term means, it was there and damn fine.
‘Nuff said…let’s get to the tasting! (Finally!)
Straight Bourbon Whiskey (and one outlier)
At Gordon’s DTX, April 25, 2019
Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit
45% ABV, from Virginia
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Maple, caramel, vanilla fudge
- Taste: Cinnamon, cardamom, caramel toffee
- Finish: Fades to mocha, caramel candy, baking spices
Comments
Lots of layered flavors, similar to Buffalo Trace.
Isaac Bowman Pioneer Spirit
46% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Port Cask Finish, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Very light nose, subdued, some toffee
- Taste: Strong entry, mocha, dark brown sugar, cardamom, green grassy notes rise
- Finish: Brown sugar and cloves
Comments
The port finish is so light as to not be noticeable.
Jefferson’s Reserve
45.1% ABV, from Kentucky
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Rum Cask Finish, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Herbs, toffee, light vanilla, lightly oranges
- Taste: Oranges, light basil, then caramel fudge
- Finish: Mocha fudge and brown sugar
Comments
Rich, sweet brown sugar syrup flavors, then goes dark. It's really nice.
Joseph Magnus Triple Cask Finished
50% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Cognac Cask Finish, Sherry Cask Finish, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Herbal, light brown sugar, pine
- Taste: Light body, pine, light brown sugar, medicinal
- Finish: Fades to pine, light cloves, gets bitter
Comments
A bit on the bitter side.
Uncle Nearest 1856
50%ABV, Premium whiskey from Tennessee
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Light caramel toffee, oak, lemon rind
- Taste: Thick body, cedar, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Fades to pine and cloves
Comments
Really interesting - not overly sweet as much as layered.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Select
48.2% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Brown sugar, roses, orange peel
- Taste: Thick body, caramel fudge, potpourri
- Finish: Fades to rich salted caramel sauce with touches of wood
Comments
The floral quality really adds a level of complexity and is almost oaky. Excellent!
Final Thoughts
There are so many factors that go into a winning bourbon, like mash composition, water, aging time, and finishing casks (if any). Knowing the straight bourbon whiskey rules provides a level of certainty. It’s not just any ol’ whiskey.
Just like with racing and that Kentucky Derby - following the rules leads to a clean result. ‘Nuff said!
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
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