What’s the Difference Between Whiskey and Moonshine? Those who know a little bit about alcohol eventually ask the question “What’s the difference between whiskey and moonshine?” The short answer? Absolutely nothing. Both whiskey and moonshine have the same production process – give or take a few variables.
“Moonshine” came to be distinguished from whiskey for its illegal nature rather than it being a different type of alcohol – moonshine is just whiskey that hasn’t been taxed. The practice of making moonshine began early on in American history when the newly-established US government established a tax on liquor and spirits to help pay for the costs of the Revolution.
Feisty colonial whiskey fans, many of whom were farmers who supported their families in bad harvest years with their alcoholic product, refused to pay for the tax, leading to an underground whiskey trade. Moonshine making continued from then on up until Prohibition went into effect in 1920, when its popularity exploded.
Suddenly, because there was no legal whiskey available anywhere, moonshine was in high demand, and the distillers who were used to evading the law already began to make a fortune. The practice of using sugar as a base for moonshine became more common as distillers tried to stretch their profits further.
After Prohibition, moonshine’s popularity naturally fell until it became more or less known as a backwoods country phenomenon. Historically, the taste of moonshine was closer to vodka than it is to a dark-colored whiskey. That’s because moonshine was rarely if ever aged – the process of acquiring and storing oak barrels for aging would have been very difficult undercover.
The taste could vary, though, since there were no legal standards. That’s part of what made moonshine somewhat dangerous – not only for the distiller, who could get caught and thrown in jail, but also for the drinker, who could go blind if the distiller was careless or greedy and did not remove the methanol naturally generated by the distillation process.
Of course, Grand River Spirits is a legal distillery – so our “moonshine” labeling is simply a fun homage to American history and our roots in Southern Illinois. It also means we follow all industry best practices and our spirits are perfectly safe to drink (in moderation, of course).
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Is bourbon stronger than moonshine?
Is whiskey stronger than moonshine? – No, whiskey is not stronger than moonshine– single-barrel whiskey has similar ABV contents to moonshine. Although they have similar proof potency, the difference between whiskey and moonshine is maturity, taste, and distilling process. Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.
Is moonshine the same thing as whiskey?
Moonshine – Put simply, moonshine is untaxed whiskey – although that’s no longer the case. Making moonshine started early in American history when the new US government imposed a tax on whiskey and spirits to help cover the American Revolution’s expenses.
Because of the rich heritage of moonshine recipes, many distillers opt to maintain the moniker ‘moonshine’ even though moonshine is legal and is taxed. Moonshiners in the past didn’t have an absolute definition for what constituted moonshine. Moonshiners across the country employed various ingredients, including corn, rye, and sugar.
Moonshine has a flavor that is more like vodka than a dark-colored whiskey. This is because historically, moonshine is seldom matured, and obtaining and keeping oak barrels for maturing secretly would’ve been extremely difficult. However, because there weren’t any legal criteria, the flavor varied.
Does bourbon start as moonshine?
New Spirit/New Make/White Dog – These terms all refer to the clear liquid generated by the bourbon distillery that will eventually be aged into legal bourbon. All bourbon starts out as a “new spirit” or white dog / moonshine, However, not all raw distillate or new spirits are the same.
Is the difference between bourbon and whiskey?
Bourbon vs. Whiskey: What’s the Difference? David Crockett/Getty Images By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network. Bourbon and whiskey are both popular spirits among mixologists and home bartenders alike.
- While these brown liquors might look the same in the bottle, they each possess unique characteristics.
- Whether you like to sip whiskey or bourbon, mix them into cocktails or simply want to quench your curiosity, it pays to know which spirit you’re imbibing and discussing.
- Here, we break down the differences between bourbon and whiskey.
Hint: all bourbons are whiskeys but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Bourbon is an American whiskey. As a distinct product of the United States (as recognized by U.S. Congress), distillers can only label a spirit bourbon when its mash bill (or grain mix) is made with at least 51 percent corn and aged in new, charred-oak barrels.
From there, additional rules regulate the alcohol proof (or ABV, alcohol by volume), time spent aging-in-barrel, bottling, labeling, mixing and more. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S., but Kentucky is associated with being famous for its bourbon and, a classic bourbon cocktail synonymous with the Kentucky Derby.
For more information on bourbon, check out our article. Whiskey is a type of spirit distilled from a fermented mix of grains, including barley, corn, rye or wheat. Whiskey is produced around the world, including in Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Canada and the United States.
- Whiskey can be unaged (as with moonshine), but most whiskey is aged in wooden barrels which darkens its color, imparts oak and wood flavor characteristics, and mellows out the harsh taste of alcohol.
- There are many different types of whiskey, including rye whiskey and single malt whiskeys.
- To be considered a rye whiskey, the mash must contain at least 51 percent rye (the same ingredient used in rye bread).
Single malt whiskeys are those that are made by one distillery with malted barley, and can be found in Japanese, Irish, Scotch and American whiskeys. Classic whiskey cocktails include the (often made with bourbon but sometimes with rye whiskey), the rye-based (pictured above) and the Scotch-centric,
- The main differences between bourbon and whiskey are the kind of grain used and where the spirit is produced.
- Bourbon is an American made whiskey that must contain at least 51 percent corn in its mash and be aged in new, charred-oak barrels.
- Whiskey can be made anywhere in the world, though there are additional differences depending on production and aging processes.
Whiskey’s mash can be made from a blend of grains, such as barley, corn, rye or wheat. Paul Grossmann/Tetra Images/Getty Images Because bourbon is aged in new, charred-oak barrels, it’s typically described as having notes of caramel, vanilla and oak. Bourbon can also have tasting notes such as baking spices, black pepper, cocoa and fruit.
Bourbon tends to be smoother than whiskey, with a softer mouthfeel and an overall sweet-presenting flavor, making it a good entry-level sipper for those new to whiskey. Wheated bourbons have a mash bill with a high concentration of wheat, which creates an even sweeter taste. The taste of whiskey varies depending on the style.
Whiskey tends to have a woody or oaky flavor profile with notes of spice, fruit, nuts, vanilla or caramel. Although some of whiskey’s flavor notes overlap with bourbon, whiskey tends to have a grainier, sharper mouthfeel than bourbon. Rye whiskey, which has a mash that contains at least 51 percent rye, tends to have a spicier flavor profile than bourbon and some other whiskeys.
- Scotch is a whiskey that’s produced and bottled in Scotland (here it’s spelled whisky, without the ‘e’).
- There are five types of Scotch, but two well-known kinds are single malts and blended whiskeys.
- Single malts are made by one distillery using malted barley, aged for at least 3 years in oak casks and bottled at no less than 80 proof.
Different regions of Scotland are known for their single malt styles, including Islay Scotch (pronounced “ai-luh”), which owes its signature smoky, peaty flavor to the process of drying the malt over a peat-fueled fire. To learn more about malted barley and Scotch, check out,
Why is Jack Daniel’s not a bourbon?
A bourbon must be distilled at no more than 160 proof, or 80% alcohol by volume. Jack is well under that. It comes over the still at 140 proof, or 70% alcohol.
Why is it called bourbon?
WHY IS AMERICAN WHISKEY CALLED BOURBON? It’s one of whiskey’s great head-scratchers. How is it that the most emblematic whiskey of the United States-a whiskey synonymous with the rural South-has a name borrowed from French royalty? AMERICAN SPIRIT, FRENCH ORIGINS The origin of bourbon’s name remains, if not murky, perhaps just a tad cloudy.
- The word bourbon itself comes from the House of Bourbon, a famous French dynasty.
- Its connection to the American South nods to the region’s long-standing connection with France (Louisiana, after all, was once a French colony).
- There are other connections, too.
- In 1785, a vast Virginia county spanning areas that are part of Kentucky today earned the name “Bourbon County” in gratitude for French assistance during the American Revolution.
Today, that name lives on in Bourbon County, Kentucky-where, fittingly enough, the county seat is a town called Paris. Despite its evocative name, bourbon historian Michael Veach thinks that the often-cited story that the whiskey’s name comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky, isn’t accurate.
Instead, he suggests that “bourbon” actually refers to Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In the 1800s, much like today, Bourbon Street was a bar and restaurant hot spot, enticing revelers with concoctions like mint juleps and the og Sazerac (fun fact: it, like many classic whiskey cocktails, originally called for brandy.) According to Veach, modern bourbon’s origins can actually be attributed to two French brothers who moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in the 19th century.
They started shipping whiskey from Kentucky distillers down the Ohio River to New Orleans in charred oak barrels. By the time it arrived in New Orleans, it had started to develop that deep color and oaky flavor bourbon still boasts today. “They knew that if Kentuckians put their whiskey into charred barrels, they could sell it to New Orleans’ residents, who would like it because it tastes more like Cognac,” Veach told Smithsonian Magazine,
Bars and restaurants on Bourbon Street developed a reputation for this new kind of Kentucky whiskey, and drinkers eventually started asking for that “Bourbon Street whiskey.” Eventually, that became just “bourbon whiskey.” Soon, early bourbon distillers like Jack Daniel, Elijah Craig, and Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr.
(an early founder of Buffalo Trace) were taking advantage of the growing market for their distilled spirits in New Orleans, and farther afield. By the 1880s, bourbon whiskey was fully launched on its unstoppable trajectory. BOURBON TODAY While it’s undoubtedly the most famous American whiskey, bourbon is just one of something like 20 different defined categories of American whiskey.
- That list includes beloved standards like rye whiskey and Tennessee whiskey, plus oddballs like corn whiskey and light whiskey-plus, of course, world whiskies like Scotch, Irish, and Canadian.
- One of the most exciting things about making bourbon today is the incredible variety.
- We’re pretty sure that there’s never been a better time to be a bourbon drinker.
Or, for that matter, a bourbon blender. When we started Barrell Craft Spirits, we were motivated by one thing: Make the very best whiskeys we could. Instead of starting by building a distillery, we decided to take advantage of the incredible diversity of bourbons and other whiskeys available today by blending, rather than distilling.
- The results speak for themselves.
- We’re one of the most awarded bourbon brands of the decade, picking up accolades like Best American Whiskey of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon, and dozens of gold and double gold medals.
- But we didn’t start a whiskey company to win awards.
- Our real goal is the same one shared by those French entrepreneurs in Louisville 170 years ago: Make spirits that people love.
To us, that means cask strength bottlings, meticulous blends, and a mindset that melds experimentation with tradition. We’re positive you’ll find a Barrell Bourbon that suits your palate, from the sweet, floral Barrell Bourbon New Year 2021 Limited Edition, to the richly spiced BCS Bourbon,
Why is bourbon only made in Kentucky?
Can Bourbon Only Be Made In Kentucky? Bourbon is one of the most mistaken when it comes to location and regulations. It has a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of the American colonies. Since then, it has been an essential part of American culture, enjoyed by Presidents and everyday citizens alike. 
The answer is no, not necessarily. Kentucky is definitely the spiritual home of bourbon whiskey. The fact that the Kentucky state’s climate and water supply are perfectly suited for distilling, and its long tradition of craftsmanship is unrivalled. However, many other states also produce high-quality bourbon.
Indiana, for example, has a similar climate to Kentucky and is home to several respected distilleries. Tennessee also has a strong bourbon tradition, with some of the most famous brands produced there. Kentucky is most definitely the undisputed homeland of bourbon, but many other states also have a claim to the title.
In the end, it’s up to the drinker to decide which bourbon they prefer. Whether it’s from Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, or any other state, the important thing is that it’s delicious. 
Is Jameson A bourbon?
Jameson Irish Whiskey is a blended Irish Whiskey. What’s that we hear you say? Well first we take the best of pot still and fine grain whiskeys. Then we triple distill them- not because we have to because we want to as it gives it its signature smoothness.
Finally we age them in oak casks for a minimum of 4 years. It’s where we recommend starting your whiskey journey. How to drink it? Any way you like. Just add mates and widen the circle. Triple distilled, twice as smooth, one of a kind. BUY NOW A light floral fragrance, peppered with spicy wood and sweet notes.
The perfect balance of spicy, nutty and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry and exceptional smoothness. Is Jameson A Scotch or bourbon? No. Jameson is an Irish whiskey produced, distilled and matured in Ireland. However some of our whiskeys use Bourbon barrels, such as Jameson Black Barrel,
- Why is Jameson triple distilled? We triple distill our product in copper stills to give our whiskey its signature smoothness.
- Our Jameson Triple Triple is not only triple distilled but triple cask matured to amplify its flavours further.
- Is triple distilled whiskey better? Each time Jameson whiskey is distilled it becomes stronger in character, adding more sweet, fruity flavours and a smoother taste than other types of whiskey.
Is Jameson a sipping whiskey? Yes! Jameson is a great whiskey for sipping. We’ve created the perfect balance of smoothness and flavour for you to drink it neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. How do you drink Jameson triple distilled Irish whiskey? Jameson Triple Distilled goes perfectly with classic whiskey mixers like ginger ale or cola.
Is Johnnie Walker a bourbon?
Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland.
Why is it called Jim Beam?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Logo | |
| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Beam Suntory |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Introduced |
|
| Proof (US) | 80, 86, 100 |
| Website | jimbeam,com |
Jim Beam is an American brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky, by Beam Suntory, It is one of the best-selling brands of bourbon in the world. Since 1795 (interrupted by Prohibition ), seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in whiskey production for the company that produces the brand.
Is bourbon the most powerful alcohol?
A toast to the best things in life. Bourbon included. Bourbon Proof and What It Means 
If you know bourbon, then you know about proof. It’s the handy numerical code that tells you how strong the spirit is, printed on the label of every bottle of liquor. Maybe you have a preferred proof: After buying a bottle or two, you look for the strength you like, and that’s all you need to know.
Or maybe it’s time to learn the whole story behind proof, and where exactly Daviess County fine bourbons fit. Go USA America is really the only country that uses the word “proof.” And even then, we only use it when referring to strong spirits that are all 40 percent alcohol or higher — think gin, vodka, rum, and yes, whiskey and bourbon.
Lighter offerings like wine and beer just go by percentage or “ABV” — alcohol by volume. And around the rest of the world, this is the term that’s used for all alcoholic beverages, regardless of how much alcohol the spirit contains. By the numbers Understanding proof requires a little multiplication and division.
Proof takes the percent of alcohol by volume in your spirit and doubles it. For example, if you know your spirit contains 50 percent alcohol, then you can double that to get 100 proof. Conversely, if you know the proof, you divide it in half to find out how much alcohol that spirit contains. Example: If the label on your bourbon says 100 proof, it contains 50 percent alcohol by volume.
If it says 80 proof, it’s 40 percent alcohol by volume. Best proof On the low end are flavored whiskeys, which contain about 35 percent alcohol by volume, or 70 proof. These are more approachable and not so intense, with a greater focus on the flavors.
On the high end is Everclear, the famously strong spirit that comes in at 190 proof — meaning it has 95 percent alcohol by volume. (Hitting 100 percent alcohol is pretty much impossible.) While bourbon must be 80 proof or higher, it typically runs between 80 and 100 proof. Some consider 100 proof to be the traditional benchmark of a spirit.
Daviess County’s bourbon offerings are all bottled at a classic 96 proof, or 48 percent alcohol by volume, giving them a serious presence while still allowing their nuanced flavors to shine through. That includes: * Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, with its trademark combination of two bourbon mashbills, wheated and ryed * Daviess County Cabernet Sauvignon Finish, which takes the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and finishes it for six months in cabernet barrels from California’s Napa Valley * Daviess County French Oak Finish, which takes the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and finishes it for six months in French oak barrels One last note: Barrel proof When bourbon is placed into the barrel to age, it must not exceed 125 proof.
During the aging process, proof levels can vary from barrel to barrel, depending on where barrels are located in the rickhouse. Barrels on lower floors lose their alcoholic content and the proof declines; barrels placed higher become more alcoholic and their proof increases. When the bourbon is ready to be bottled, distillers add water to fine-tune the taste, which lowers the proof.
These days, it’s become a trendy thing among bourbon fans to get bourbon straight from the barrel, at a higher proof. If a bottle is identified as “barrel-proof” or “cask-strength,” you can expect to see a higher percentage of alcohol and a much higher proof.
What is stronger than moonshine?
Can you Drink Everclear? – Many people want to try Everclear because of the hype associated with it. It is often mislabeled as moonshine. However, this is not the case. Moonshine is only truly spirits that are made illicitly. Everclear is simply a high proof spirit that is commercially made.
Of course, as it is often labelled as moonshine or used in lieu of moonshine in many popular moonshine recipes, many want to try Everclear. With 95% alcohol content, Everclear is very potent. So if you want to try Everclear, it is smart not to drink it straight. Everclear isn’t produced and intended for a cocktail; rather, it is intended to be used in creating lower proof alcohols, such as in making limoncello or liqueurs.
Try as much as you can not to use Everclear straight in cocktail recipes; it is just too unsafe and strong.
What is stronger than bourbon?
What’s the Difference Between Scotch and Bourbon? If you know how to enjoy your liquor, you have definitely been a connoisseur of both scotch and bourbon. These two very fine alcoholic beverages are both their own type of whiskey, with a rich history.
Scotch is primarily made using the malted barley while bourbon uses a certain grain mix. In terms of bourbon vs scotch taste, scotch is more intense with a distinguishable smokiness, while bourbon is sweeter. When it comes to the alcohol content, scotch is typically stronger and often bottled at 60-75% while bourbon is bottled at around 40% ABV.
Is bourbon a strong drink?
How strong is bourbon? – Bourbon must be 80 proof or more but is typically between 80 and 100 proof. Some connoisseurs consider 100 proof as the traditional benchmark for a spirit.
