spirit
Bourbon
American oak, corn-led, congener-rich
At least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak. The new oak pulls heavy tannins and aromatic congeners into the spirit.
- Typical ABV
- 40–65%
- Base
- Corn + rye/wheat/malt mashbill
- Distillation
- Column + doubler, typically
- Aging
- New charred American oak, minimum 2 years for "straight"
Category hangover index
7/10
Heavy
Chemistry profile
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Very Low
Bourbon’s signature vanilla-caramel-spice is the same chemistry your liver has to clear: lignins, furfurals, and aldehydes from the new charred barrel. Big flavor, big morning.
What changes the chemistry
- ▸New charred oak = highest barrel-extractive load
- ▸High proof entry concentrates congeners during aging
- ▸Wheated vs high-rye mashbills shift profile
- ▸No additives permitted (apart from water)
Common allergens: oakcorn
See the healthiest bourbon ranked
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