Corn: The Cornerstone of Bourbon (And More)
The use of corn in whiskey making in America dates back to the early colonial period. Corn was readily available and cheap, making it an ideal ingredient for whiskey production.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, whiskey production in America was largely done on a small-scale, with farmers and distillers using surplus crops to make whiskey. This led to the rise of "bourbon" whiskey, which was made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels.
In the mid-19th century, the invention of the column still made whiskey production more efficient and led to the rise of large-scale commercial distilleries. This, in turn, led to the standardization of bourbon whiskey, with many distilleries producing similar-tasting products.
Prohibition (1920-1933) dealt a blow to the American whiskey industry, forcing many distilleries to shut down. However, some distilleries managed to survive by producing medicinal whiskey, which was legal during Prohibition.
After Prohibition, the American whiskey industry experienced a resurgence. The popularity of bourbon whiskey continued to grow, and many new craft distilleries emerged, experimenting with adding grains and aging techniques.
Today, American whiskey is made using a variety of grains, including corn, rye, wheat, and barley. However, corn remains a key ingredient in many bourbons and other American whiskeys, and the use of corn in whiskey making continues to be an important part of American culinary and cultural heritage.
Bourbon whiskey is known for its rich, full-bodied flavor, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. It is also known for its sweetness, which comes from the aging process and the corn used in the mash bill. The use of charred oak barrels adds to the complexity of the flavor, with additional notes of spice, smoke, and fruit.
Selected Bourbon Whiskies
-
A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength
A. Smith BowmanMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 67% | MSRP: $100
Tasting Notes: Oak, Cinnamon, Apple, Caramel, Pie Crust, Brown Sugar, Cherries
Suggested Drinking: Water, Rock
-
Baker's Bourbon 7 Year Single Barrel
Baker's BourbonMash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 53.5% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Nuts, Caramel, Vanilla, Rye Spice, Syrup, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Barrell Craft Spirits Vantage
Barrel Craft SpiritsMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 57% | MSRP: $90
Tasting Notes: Peach, Orange, Oak, Crème Brûlée, Cinnamon, Ginger
Suggested Drinking: Rock
-
Blade And Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Blade And BowMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 45.5% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Light Oak, Stone Fruit, Grains
Suggested Drinking: Cocktails, Neat
-
Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton'sMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 46.5% | MSRP: $65
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Leather, Oak, Rye Spice, Citrus
Suggested Drinking: Neat
-
Blue Run Reflection Straight Bourbon
Seelbach'sMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 47.5% | MSRP: $100
Tasting Notes: Cherries, Butterscotch, Pancakes, Syrup, Nutmeg
Suggested Drinking: Neat
-
Booker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Booker's BourbonMash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 62.4% | MSRP: $90
Tasting Notes: Roasted Nuts, Vanilla, Oak, Honey, Toffee
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel
Buffalo TraceMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Oak, Oatmeal, Raisins, Brown Sugar, Butterscotch, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat
-
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Elijah CraigMash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
ABV: 62.8% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Stone Fruits, Vanilla, Oak, Fudge, Spices
Suggested Drinking: Rock
-
Evan Williams Single Barrel
Evan WilliamsMash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 43.6% | MSRP: $27
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Cocktails, Neat
-
Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Old
Heaven HillMash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, and 10% Rye
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Rye Spice, Brown Sugar
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Knob Creek Small Batch 12 Year Old
Knob CreekMash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Oak, Vanilla, Caramel, Leather, Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Makers 46
Maker's MarkMash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
ABV: 47% | MSRP: $40
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Oak, Cinnamon Toast, Vanilla
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
-
Noah's Mill Genuine Bourbon Whiskey
Willet DistilleryMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 57.15% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Roasted Nuts, Vanilla, Spices
Suggested Drinking: Water, Rock
-
Old Ezra 7 Years Old
Ezra BrooksMash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
ABV: 58.5% | MSRP: $65
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Brown Sugar, Cherries
Suggested Drinking: Water, Rock
-
Old Forester Single Barrel
Old ForesterMash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Oak, Cherry, Vanilla, Maple Syrup
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Russel's ReserveMash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
ABV: 55% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Oak, Caramel, Rye Spice, Leather, Tobacco, Toffee
Suggested Drinking: Rock
-
Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Buffalo TraceMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 65.5% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Stone Fruits, Citrus, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Oak, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Rock
-
Traverse City Barrel Proof Bourbon
Traverse CityMash Bill: 71% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
ABV: 58.3% | MSRP: $80
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Crème Brûlée, Nuts, Spices
Suggested Drinking: Rock
-
W.L. Weller Antique
Buffalo TraceMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 53.5% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Fully-Body Mouthfeel, Cinnamon, Cherries, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Woodford ReserveMash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 45.2% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Sweet Vanilla, Heavy Oak, Dark Fruits, Leather
Suggested Drinking: Neat
Selected Non-Bourbon Whiskies
-
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
BalconesMash Bill: 100% Corn
ABV: 65.7% | MSRP: $55
Tasting Notes: Corn, Maple Syrup, Tobacco, Raisins, Nuts, Chocolate, Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Water, Rock
-
George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond
George DickelMash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $45
Tasting Notes: Berries, Nuts, Oak, Butterscotch, Maple, Tobacco
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
-
Jack Daniel's 10 Year Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel'sMash Bill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
ABV: 48.5% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Brown Sugar, Banana, Vanilla, Oak, Raisins, Tobacco
Suggested Drinking: Neat
-
Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
Nelson's Green BrierMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 45.5% | MSRP: $30
Tasting Notes: Baked Bread, Wood, Brown Sugar, Leather, Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
-
Nikka Coffee Grain Whisky
Nikka WhiskyMash Bill: 95% corn, 5% malted barley
ABV: 45% | MSRP: $80
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Nuts, Stone Fruit, Grains, Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat
-
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
Uncle NearestMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Nuts, Cinnamon, Grains, Cookies
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
Take Your Bourbon to the Next Level With the Perfect Glass
The Classic Tumbler Glass and Square Rocks Glass each pairs perfectly with Bourbons and other Corn-Forward Whiskies - be it with a rock, neat, or diluted with a splash of water.
Corn Grain Classic Tumbler Whiskey Glass
Share
