What is a Mash Bill

A mash bill is the combination of grains used in the production of whiskey or bourbon. It specifies the type and percentage of grains used, such as corn, rye, wheat, and barley, and in what proportions they are used in the recipe.

The mash bill is an important factor in the flavor profile of the finished whiskey or bourbon, as each grain contributes its own unique flavors and characteristics. For example, a high percentage of corn in the mash bill can produce a sweeter, smoother flavor, while a higher percentage of rye can produce a spicier, bolder flavor.

Mash bills are often closely guarded secrets of distilleries, as they are considered to be an important factor in differentiating their products from those of other distilleries.

The mashbill of a whiskey refers to the combination of grains used in the production of whiskey. The exact composition of the mash bill can vary widely depending on the specific type of whiskey being produced and the preferences of the distiller.

For example, bourbon is required by law to have a mash bill that is at least 51% corn, with the remainder being made up of other grains such as rye, wheat, or barley. Rye whiskey, on the other hand, must have a mash bill that is at least 51% rye, while malt whiskey must be made with at least 51% malted barley.

The specific combination of grains used in a mash bill can have a significant impact on the flavor profile of the finished whiskey. For example, a higher percentage of corn in a bourbon mashbill can result in a sweeter, smoother flavor, while a higher percentage of rye can produce a spicier, more complex flavor. Distillers may also use different strains of grains, or vary the percentages of different grains in the mash bill, to achieve a specific flavor profile or to differentiate their product from others on the market.

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Cheers!

Brian

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Jack Daniels & Uncle Nearest 

Jack Daniel was a Tennessee whiskey distiller and the founder of the Jack Daniel’s brand, as I explained in my previous answer. He is widely credited with revolutionizing the whiskey-making process and creating one of the most popular and recognizable whiskey brands in the world.

Uncle Nearest, whose full name was Nathan “Nearest” Green, was an African American master distiller who is said to have taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey. Green was born into slavery in Maryland in 1820 and later moved to Tennessee, where he worked on a farm owned by a man named Dan Call. Call was a local whiskey producer and is believed to have taught Green the art of distilling.

According to some accounts, Green eventually became the master distiller for Call’s whiskey operation, and when Jack Daniel began working for Call as a teenager, he learned the trade from Green. While the exact nature of the relationship between Daniel and Green is still a matter of debate, it is clear that Green played a significant role in the early history of American whiskey and has been recognized as a trailblazing figure in the industry. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Green’s story and his contributions to the whiskey world, and several brands have been launched in his honor.  The Uncle Nearest brand recently released some whiskey and bourbon. 

Jacob Beam

Jacob Beam was an American whiskey distiller and the founder of the Jim Beam bourbon brand. He was born in 1770 in Maryland and moved to Kentucky in the late 1700s. Beam began distilling whiskey in the late 1790s and soon became known for his high-quality spirits.

In 1795, Beam established a distillery in what is now Clermont, Kentucky, and began producing bourbon under the name Old Jake Beam. Over the years, Beam’s bourbon became increasingly popular, and the distillery expanded to meet growing demand. In 1933, following the repeal of Prohibition, the company officially changed its name to Jim Beam.

Jacob Spears

Jacob Spears was a farmer, distiller, and even a horse breeder who dealt in bluegrass seed. As a distiller, he and his two sons, Abraham and Noah, would load barrels of whiskey onto flatboats at Cooper’s Run, which led to the Licking River, and then to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. 

The exact date when Jacob Spears first distilled bourbon is not known, but it is believed that he began producing whiskey in Kentucky sometime in the late 1700s or early 1800s. At the time, bourbon was not yet an officially recognized type of whiskey, but many distillers in Kentucky and other parts of the United States were producing similar spirits using similar methods. Spears is considered one of the early pioneers of American whiskey-making, and his legacy as a distiller has had a lasting impact on the industry.

The history of bourbon is a bit murky, and there is no clear answer to who the first bourbon distiller was. However, it is widely believed that bourbon was first produced in Kentucky in the late 18th century by Scottish and Irish settlers who brought with them the knowledge of distilling whiskey. Some of the early distillers who are credited with popularizing bourbon include Elijah Craig, who is said to have been the first to age bourbon in charred oak barrels, and Jacob Beam, whose family went on to create the famous Jim Beam bourbon brand. While the identity of the first bourbon distiller may never be known for certain, there are many who paved the way.

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Cheers!

Brian

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How to Speak Bourbon

Have you ever felt intimidated or lost when you listen to people talk about bourbon?  I’m always amazed at the new information I learn in the bourbon industry.  There are so many words or phrases that bourbon experts use which can leave people wondering what they are talking about.  Then there are the words people use that are more “slang”.  Through my years of drinking bourbon and researching I created a list of “bourbon” terms.  

Here are some common bourbon terms and their definitions:

General Terms:

• Bourbon – a type of American whiskey made from a grain mash that is at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, and distilled to no more than 80% alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Mash bill – the mixture of grains used to make the bourbon, which typically includes corn, rye, and/or barley.
• Barrel – the container in which bourbon is aged, typically made of oak and charred on the inside.
• Char – the process of burning the inside of the barrel to create a layer of charcoal, which helps filter impurities and add flavor to the bourbon.
• Angel’s share – the portion of bourbon that is lost to evaporation during the aging process.
• Proof – the measurement of a whiskey’s alcohol content, which is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Small batch – a term used to describe bourbon that is produced in smaller quantities, typically between 100 and 1,000 barrels.
• Single barrel – bourbon that is bottled from a single, individual barrel, rather than being blended with whiskey from other barrels.
• Age statement – the number of years that the bourbon has been aged, which must be stated on the label if the bourbon is aged for less than four years.
• Finish – the final stage of the bourbon-making process, which involves bottling the bourbon after it has been aged and, in some cases, finished in a different type of barrel to add unique flavor notes.

Types of Whiskey:

• Bourbon – a type of American whiskey that is made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. It is known for its sweet and oaky flavor profile.
• Rye – a type of American whiskey that is made from at least 51% rye and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its spicy and complex flavor profile.
• Scotch – a type of whisky that is made in Scotland from malted barley and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its smoky, peaty flavor profile.
• Irish – a type of whiskey that is made in Ireland from a blend of malted and unmalted barley and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its smooth and mellow flavor profile.
• Canadian – a type of whiskey that is made in Canada from a blend of different grains and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its light and smooth flavor profile.
• Japanese – a type of whiskey that is made in Japan from a blend of malted and unmalted barley and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its delicate and complex flavor profile.
• Tennessee – a type of American whiskey that is similar to bourbon but is filtered through charcoal before aging. It is known for its smooth and mellow flavor profile.
• Corn – a type of American whiskey that is made from at least 80% corn and aged in oak barrels. It is known for its sweet and smooth flavor profile.
• These are just a few of the many types of whiskey available, and there are many variations and sub-categories within each type.

Tasting Bourbon Terms:

• Nose – the aroma of the bourbon.
• Bouquet – the overall aroma and scent of the bourbon.
• Palate – the taste of the bourbon.
• Finish – the aftertaste and lingering flavors of the bourbon.
• Body – the texture and weight of the bourbon in the mouth.
• Smooth – a desirable characteristic of bourbon that refers to its lack of harshness or burn when consumed.
• Sweet – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of sugar or honey.
• Spicy – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of cinnamon, clove, or black pepper.
• Woody – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of oak or other wood used in aging.
• Caramel – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of caramelized sugar.
• Vanilla – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of vanilla beans.
• Nutty – a flavor note in bourbon that is reminiscent of almonds, pecans, or other nuts.

Descriptive Bourbon Terms:

• Brown water – a nickname for bourbon, due to its amber color.
• Juice – another term for bourbon, often used by bartenders.
• Neat – a term used to order bourbon served at room temperature in a glass, without any ice or mixers.
• On the rocks – a term used to order bourbon served over ice.
• High proof – a term used to describe bourbons with a higher alcohol content, typically above 100 proof.
• Mash – a term used to describe the combination of grains used to make the bourbon.
• Dusties – vintage or rare bottles of bourbon that have been sitting on a shelf for a long time.
• Sipper – a term used to describe a bourbon that is meant to be sipped and savored,rather than quickly consumed.
• Juice bomb – a term used to describe a bourbon that has an intense and complex flavor profile.
• Pappy – short for Pappy Van Winkle, a highly sought-after and expensive brand of bourbon.
• Dusty hunting – the act of searching for rare or vintage bottles of bourbon in old liquor stores or other obscure locations.
• Barrel proof – a term used to describe bourbon that is bottled at the same proof as when it was removed from the barrel, without being diluted with water.
• Juice bomb – a term used to describe a bourbon that is full of intense, complex flavors.
• Smoothie – a term used to describe a bourbon that is especially smooth and easy to drink.
• Backbone – a term used to describe the foundation of a bourbon’s flavor profile, often referring to the mash bill or the wood used in aging.
• Dusty shelf – a term used to describe a liquor store or bar that has a large selection of rare or vintage bourbons.
• Bottom shelf – a term used to describe inexpensive, lower-quality bourbons that are often found on the lower shelves of liquor stores.
• Bourbon trail – a popular tourist route in Kentucky that features several bourbon distilleries and historic sites related to bourbon production.
• The good stuff – a term used to describe high-quality, premium bourbons.

I hope this information helps you as much as it helped me to understand the bourbon experts better.  

For more information on The Bourbon Road follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.  You can also SUBSCRIBE to our podcast to listen to all of our episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more.

Cheers!

Brian

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Craft bourbon distilleries are basically small distilleries that produce bourbon using different techniques and methods. They often place emphasis on the use of high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients and produce bourbon in small batches. This allows for more attention to detail and a more personalized approach to the production process.

Craft distilleries usually focus on the art of bourbon-making and may experiment with different barrel types, aging processes, finishing and unique flavor profiles to create distinct and exceptional bourbon. Many of them also prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility by using organic or locally sourced ingredients and recycling waste products from the distilling process.

Over the years, the popularity of craft bourbon distilleries has grown significantly as more consumers become interested in small-batch, high-quality spirits with unique flavors and a connection to their local communities. Visitors to craft distilleries can usually enjoy tours and tastings, where they can learn more about the distilling process and sample the spirits.  

Craft distilleries are on the rise and bringing many different types of flavor profiles.  They typically use the finishing process to achieve elevated and unique flavors.  Finishing bourbon refers to the process of aging the bourbon for an additional period of time in a barrel that previously contained a different type of spirit or wine. There are other ways to finish bourbon as learned from our friends at Innerstave and Broken Barrel.  This allows the bourbon to absorb some of the flavors and aromas of the previous contents of the barrel, which can result in a more complex and nuanced flavor profile.

Common types of barrels used for finishing bourbon include those that previously held sherry, port, rum, or wine. Jim shared a very unique bourbon from Peerless that was finished in absinthe barrels.  The bourbon is aged for several months or several years, depending on the desired flavor profile and intensity.

The Bourbon Road has enjoyed tasting many unique bourbons from craft distilleries.  Here are just a few of the recent craft distilleries that have been on the show.

• RD1
• ASW Distilleries
• Legends Distillery
• Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company
• Broken Barrel

For more information on The Bourbon Road follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.  You can also SUBSCRIBE to our podcast to listen to all of our episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more.

Cheers!

Brian

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