What makes bourbon bourbon?
A short guide to the words on the label.
Sources checked 10-15-2026.
Start with grain, oak and place
Bourbon is a United States whiskey made from a mash containing at least 51 percent corn. It is distilled at no more than 160 proof, enters charred new oak at no more than 125 proof, and is bottled at 80 proof or higher. Added coloring and flavoring are not permitted.
Straight adds an age requirement
Straight bourbon has aged for at least two years. The word bourbon alone does not establish a two-year minimum.
Kentucky tells a more specific story
Bourbon can be made elsewhere in the United States. A Kentucky designation identifies a more specific origin under the regional naming rules.