American bourbon is also known as corn whiskey. The drink is the real national pride of the Americans. The original name was obtained in honor of one of the towns of Kentucky, where the recipe for this product was first developed. It differs in the recipe and is about the same importance as whiskey in Scotland, schnapps in Germany, vodka in Russia and cognac in France.
general information
Recently, American bourbon has become very popular all over the world. But not all admirers of this drink know the best manufacturers. Some users are only familiar with two brands (Jim Beam and Jack Daniels). But this is a very superficial look at such a global issue. In the United States, there are dozens of manufacturers of quality corn whiskey. Next, we will study some of the most famous brands in this segment.
Jim beam
Jim Beam American bourbon is one of the best-selling and most popular drinks in its class. In reviews, many connoisseurs of this product note that this particular variety is made in Kentucky.
The second word in the name of whiskey means the name of its founders. The first batch of this drink was made at the end of the 18th century by Jacob Beam. The initial word is associated with the period of prohibition in the United States. At this time, the company was headed by Jim Beam, under whose leadership the company managed to survive the most difficult times for itself. It was then that the real name of this brand of bourbon was established.
Varieties of Jim Beam
Currently, several types of American bourbon from this manufacturer are produced. They differ in prescription technology and endurance. The line includes:
- “White Label” (White Label), having four years of aging.
- "Black Label" (Black Label), eight years of exposure.
- Collection series "Bookers" (Booker's), fortress 63.2 gr.
- The Bakers version, made using a special fermentation technology.
- “Basil Hayden's” with a large selection of spices and spices.
- Nine-year-old Knob Creek drink.
Consumers note that any variety of this whiskey has a unique rich taste and unrivaled aroma.
Jack daniel's
Among the many competitors, Jack Daniels has a special filtering method. American bourbon passes through a three-meter layer of charcoal. The average duration of the process is from eight to ten days. The identity of whiskey is additionally emphasized by the nuance that alcohol around the world is exclusively called Jack Daniel's Tennessee Wiskey. Other features of this brand include a special chemical composition of water along with a special fermentation process carried out using acidic wort.
Jack Daniels Features
Users in reviews of the oldest American bourbon indicate the original configuration of the bottle and an incomprehensible number 7 in the name. The shape of the container is a box with a diverting neck. “Seven” this drink got thanks to its creator Jasper Daniel. The origin of this figure is not known for certain, one of them indicates that 7 is a symbol of good luck.
Connoisseurs of a strong drink celebrate its sweet, deep taste, along with the finest bouquet in the aroma. In the product line there is a variety of Honey, in which honey is added.
Heaven hill
Haven Hill American whiskey (bourbon) has been produced since the abolition of Prohibition in the United States. The Shapiro brothers precisely in that period decided to invest the available capital in the production of alcohol. The name of this corn whiskey is associated with the hero of the war against the Indians, William Havenhill. Not without the intervention of the case. One of the employees responsible for registering the name made a mistake by writing it in two words. As a result, the current name appeared, which translates as "heavenly hill."
Gourmets in the reviews note that “Haven Hill” gives true delight to connoisseurs of spirits. Whiskey is distinguished by a golden-bronze color, the aroma feels noble wood, caramel, haze, cinnamon. The flavoring bouquet is full of notes of nuts, various fruits, spices, herbs and honey. Connoisseurs recommend tasting the Old Style series. She maximally emphasizes the belonging of the product to the classical standards for the production of quality alcohol in the States.
Four roses
American whiskey (bourbon) “Fours Rose” is named after the creator of Rufus Rose, symbolizing one of the roses. The fact is that the literal translation of the original name is “four roses”. The remaining three flowers symbolize the wife and two children of Rufus. Corn whiskey is also produced in Kentucky, which gives it an advantage over counterparts from Montana, Ohio or other American states.
Consumers note that Four Roses has a light and sophisticated taste. According to experts, the secret of the recipe is the use of crystal clear spring water. At least 60 percent of corn wort is used in production. It is this component that gives the drink a sweetish aftertaste. Like other counterparts, Four Rose surely insist in oak containers, previously burnt from the inside. A recognizable element on the bottle of the specified drink are four embossed red roses on the label.
Maker's mark
Among the types of American bourbon, one of the most expensive is the Makers Mark. The name is translated into Russian as “sign of the master”. All connoisseurs who have tried this product have noted its high quality. This brand stands out among competitors with its original production recipe. Pure water is taken in a private lake, which is located on the territory of the company.
As the main wort, a mixture of sweet corn, winter red wheat, and selected varieties of malt is used. The proportions of each component are kept secret. The cereal components are ground using a special method in one old mill, after which they are sent for heat treatment. Then they are mixed with water and yeast. Fermentation takes place in huge cypress barrels. The rest of the process is observed according to the classical scheme. The peculiarity of the Makers Mark manufacture is its small production volumes, which does not indicate the pursuit of profit, but the preservation of traditions and the highest quality.
Early times
The American bourbon under the name “Airlie Times” during the prohibition period was produced as a medical device. However, now it is not specified what diseases this “medicine” should have cured of. The name in the translation means “ancient times”, it is focused on convincing consumers that the manufacturer of whiskey strictly adheres to the tradition of producing alcohol.
It is worth noting one interesting fact. According to American law, the drink in question cannot be sold as bourbon due to the absence of the label “made in Kentucky” on the label. This fact is directly related to its aging, although the product is infused in old oak containers. The light tone of corn whiskey of this brand is due precisely to this circumstance. Many connoisseurs in the responses note that the Airlie Times is one of the most balanced spirits among competitors.
Blanton's American Bourbon
The recipe for this corn whiskey was developed by Colonel Albert Blunton. There is information that the developer went to the final version for almost fifty years. Long years of experiments showed the well-known axiom that everything ingenious is simple. The Blanton-S alcoholic beverage contains sweet corn, selected rye and specially prepared barley. All extraneous additives and impurities are excluded. This is the main feature of Blanton's.
Judging by the reviews of experts, the bourbon in question is considered one of the quality standards. Connoisseurs note notes of citrus, honey, apples, spices and chocolate in a rich aftertaste. The branded bottle from this product is known worldwide. Tara is crowned with the figure of a jockey riding a mustang riding at full speed.
Daniel Stewart
It cannot be argued that Daniel Stuart is a very popular and well-known brand in the United States. This brand got into the review because of its relatively budget cost for the domestic market. Reviews about this manufacturer are mostly positive. They do not note special advantages over competitors, except for the price, but practically do not indicate negative aspects.
The organoleptic parameters of the drink are fully consistent with accepted standards, although the aftertaste breaks off quickly, despite its initial saturation. The description of this corn whiskey suggests the conclusion that the product is quite suitable as a budget category bourbon. Especially the acquisition of "Daniel Stuart" is relevant for the preparation of various cocktails based on it. At the same time, it is not particularly suitable for the first acquaintance with a real American product, since it does not make it possible to appreciate all the qualities of the drink.
Benchmark
Among all the brands of American bourbon, the Benchmark brand is distinguished, which is also produced at production facilities in Kentucky. In addition to corn, the composition of the drink includes selected barley and rye. It is worth noting that the last ingredient occupies a large share in the recipe. According to company instructions, this cereal should be at least 51%.
Whiskey is aged for at least four years in new wooden barrels made of American oak. Among the distinguishing features, consumers consider the optimal combination of high quality and reasonable price. The appearance of the bottle is somewhat similar to the capacity of Jack Daniels. The taste of these drinks is significantly different. At the Benchmark, it is thin and somewhat dry, with a scorching and rather sharp finish. Among the tasting features note soft notes of chocolate, cinnamon and caramel.
Wild turkey
Initially, this classic drink had a different name - American bourbon 101. Its history began in 1855, when the owner of a shop specializing in the sale of alcohol and coffee, Austin Nicole, began to manufacture alcohol of his own production. Until 1870, corn brand whiskey of this brand was sold only in barrels. The current name of the drink appeared in 1940. The turkey hunters liked the taste and aroma of this product so much that they suggested calling it “Wild Turkey” (wild turkey). Now the brand belongs to the Italian alcohol brand Gruppo Campari.