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Spirits

Bourbon

  • Spirit
  • Alcoholic
  • 68 drinks

What is Bourbon?

Bourbon is a U.S. whiskey type made from a fermented mash containing at least 51% corn, distilled within the federal proof limit and stored in charred new oak containers under the U.S. standard of identity.

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You enjoy rich, complex spirits with oak, vanilla or smoky character.
  • ✓There are 68 drinks on WhatDrink using this.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer light, neutral or sweet spirits.

At a Glance

75 kcalCalories
0gSugar
0gCarbs
SpiritType
68Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

On this page

What does Bourbon taste like?

Flavor varies by producer, mash bill, maturation, age and proof; WhatDrink treats product-level tasting and cask evidence separately from the legal Bourbon definition.

Ways to use bourbon

Cocktails (65)Punches (2)Shots (1)

Bourbon authority guide

What defines Bourbon?

Regulated standard

In U.S. federal standards, bourbon whisky is made from a fermented grain mash containing at least 51% corn, distilled at no more than 160 proof, and stored at no more than 125 proof in charred new oak containers. The straight designation additionally requires at least two years in charred new oak.

Source: U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

The product-level view below is built from 569 approved WhatDrink whiskey records. It currently spans 35 named distilleries.

569
Products
38.5%
With age data
8.3%
With cask data
15.3%
With distillery data

Age statements in the graph

219 products have an approved age statement, ranging from 3 to 30 years in the current dataset.

Common documented cask types

Bourbon cask · 42Double oak · 2Port cask · 2Oloroso sherry cask · 1

Most represented distilleries

Stitzel-Weller · 11Jim Beam · 9Woodford Reserve · 8Old Rip van Winkle · 7Black Button Distilling · 7Beam Global Spirits & Wine · 6The Sazerac Company · 3The Jeremiah Weed Distilling Company · 3Frank-Lin Distillers · 3Distillerie Chatel · 2

Representative products

  • Four Roses, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Strength Single Barrel Limited Edition Bottled 2013 (63.2%)
    bourbon
  • Four Roses, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Strength Single Barrel Limited Edition Bottled 2013 (64.6%)
    bourbon
  • Four Roses, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Strength Single Barrel Limited Edition Bottled 2014 (54%)
    bourbon
  • George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof 138.2 Proof
    bourbon
  • George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Limited Edition 128.2 Proof
    bourbon
  • Makers Mark, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Cask Strength 55.1%
    bourbon
  • William Larue Weller (Buffalo Trace), Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Limited Edition Bottled 2014 140.2 Proof
    bourbon
  • William Larue Weller (Buffalo Trace), Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Limited Edition Bottled 2024 125.8 Proof
    bourbon
  • William Larue Weller, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Limited Edition 121.9 Proof Bottled 2005
    bourbon
  • William Larue Weller, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Limited Edition 123.4 Proof Bottled 2012
    bourbon

Coverage percentages describe approved fields in WhatDrink's current specialist dataset; an unfilled field is not treated as a negative claim.

Flavour profile

CaramelCornOakSpiceVanilla

Recipes using this

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 59.15–59.15 ml; median 59.15 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 61 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
250
Sugar (per 100 ml)
0 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
0 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • KetoCompatible
  • Low-CarbCompatible
  • Low-SugarCompatible
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Reviewed substitutes

  • Rye WhiskeySpicier and drier whiskey profile.

Reviewed ingredient substitution guidance. Results can vary by brand, quantity and preparation. These substitutions have not been tested in every individual recipe.

Commonly observed with

Lemon JuiceAngostura BittersSimple SyrupMaraschino CherryTriple SecBenedictineLemon TwistWater

Observed co-use in the reviewed recipe corpus — not a universal pairing recommendation.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-16T02:53:30.320595+00:00

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.