Arguably, the most crucial step of the Bourbon production process comes next: aging. Whiskey must be aged for at least two years before it can be called “straight whiskey”. A spirit distilled for a shorter period of time is known as “white dog” and has a paler, almost clear coloring and a sharp flavor. The grains are coarsely ground and added to water. The mixture is then heated, to break down the structure of the grains, which produces fermentable sugars. If you prefer to read about Bourbon before opening the bottle, jump to our sections below to learn more about Bourbon. Read more about the terms to know when talking about Bourbon or our methodology to select and rank the best Bourbon brands of the year. Four Roses Single Barrel: Overall best bourbon of 2023 The underlying dryness amid the spice and honey really makes for bourbon that should suit all tastes and one to keep the discerning whiskey drinker almost purring with delight.

Blantons Original Bourbon 46.5% 70cl - RMW Blantons Original Bourbon 46.5% 70cl - RMW

But it can be difficult to know which brand and bottle are for you. How do you decide between the most popular Bourbons or, ultimately, find the best Bourbon of the year? The huge variety of brands, distilleries, proofs, and ages has made the world of whiskey a fascinating one, albeit slightly challenging if you’re not sure where to start. Usually, adding a little bit of ice washes out the weaker flavors while toning down the more annoying or richer aspects. For a bitter or overly dark whiskey this can be a good thing, but for something that is already pretty well balanced and delicious when taken neat, it can be a real buzzkill. That’s why we maintain this up-to-date, carefully curated selection of the best bourbons available on the market. From the smoothest to the best premium and budget Bourbons, here’s everything you need to know when buying your next bottle. The best Bourbons of 2023 Before the process is started, a distiller must first determine the mash bill: the exact makeup of grains from which the whiskey is made. To qualify as Bourbon, the grains must feature at least 51% corn. Then, a combination of rye, wheat, and malted barley can also be added. Noting the success of brands like Four Roses, they saw the need to produce a premium brand of whiskey. Drawing inspiration from a former master distiller of their facility named Col. Albert Blanton, they created a new line of bourbon that did something new: nothing. Literally, nothing. No blending or mixing the contents of the barrel. Instead, the contents of selected barrels that were of a superior quality were poured directly into the bottles and shipped out.

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But while this small-batch Bourbon has changed a few things over time, it’s kept its ‘super premium’ holding and taste. Blanton’s claims that it’s “the original single barrel Bourbon whiskey” and is known for its unique bottle shape. Thirty-One Whiskey is a blog devoted to the appreciation of good whiskey, fine cigars, and the value of a hard day’s work in the wood shop. The bourbon here is an absolutely beautiful, dark amber color. It lightens up a little bit when you pour out just a glass, but its still just the perfect shade.

Whiskey Review: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Whiskey Review: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash (wheat, rye, barley, and corn) and then aged in wooden barrels. Simply add one sugar cube or ½ tsp. sugar, two dashes of Angostura bitters and garnish with a lemon or orange twist in a sturdy Old Fashioned glass to complete. These days, there are a handful of “unicorn” bourbons. Names like Weller or Pappy Van Winkle immediately bring a tear to the eye of whiskey drinkers, both for the beauty of the contents and the sharp pain to their wallet. One of the more recent additions to that list is Blanton’s, a whiskey that has been around since the 1980’s but only has become truly popular in the last decade. For years, U.S. Blanton’s lovers pined after two products they couldn’t get their hands on in the states. (Yes, the irony of a distinctly American product not being available in America is not lost on us). But Blanton’s single-barrel Gold Edition and Straight From The Barrel bourbons are now finally available on the American market. Elijah Craig has a particular legacy in the world of bourbon drinking, and the Elijah Craig Small Batch provides a brilliant continuation of just that.The next step differentiates Bourbon from whiskey. The mixture is pumped into a fermentation vat with yeast and, commonly, a sour mash mix. The mash is then distilled – mostly twice – to remove impurities and increase the strength of the liquid. However, to be called a Bourbon, it must also be produced in the United States and be made from 51 percent corn. The liquid needs to be distilled to no more than 160 proof and entered into the barrel at 125 proof. It must not contain any added flavoring, coloring, or other additives and must be aged in new, oak-charred barrels.

15 Things You Need to Know About Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

To help us rank the best Bourbons in the world, we looked at a number of different factors, including the proof, age, and price. And let’s not forget the oak casks: the oak used is first stripped and left to weather for six months. This process removes the bitter tannins, allowing for a smoother flavor once the mixture has been added.

The whiskey that eventually becomes Blanton’s is produced under contract by Buffalo Trace. It’s the same distillery where it has always been produced, but over the years the distillery was sold to Sazerac. This whiskey uses the “mashbill #2” formula for the grains, which is reportedly a high rye content version of their grain mixture — but the exact proportions are not disclosed. This is reportedly the same whiskey source as Ancient Age, the original whiskey produced by Age International. There are different types of bourbon on the market, depending on how they’re made. Single barrel bourbon, sweet or rare. Learn more about the terms and distillery processes to understand what goes into making a delicious bottle. Then, the barrels are charred, offering a smoky environment that almost caramelizes the liquid. The standard barrel size is 263 liters and weighs 225 kilos when full. What’s the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey?