| Friends, Romans, Whiskey Lovers. After drinking in | | | | Kentucky. It can, however, be made anywhere it is not |
| round one and round two of our whiskey lesson, we | | | | illegal to distill spirits. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, |
| move onto the third and final round: American | | | | Missouri, and Virginia all serve as states where |
| Whiskey. Now, it may seem that it's a patriotic ploy on | | | | Bourbon was once produced. The latter, Virginia, still |
| my part to dedicate an entire article to American | | | | produces some on occasion. |
| Whiskey - particularly when whiskies from other | | | | Corn Whiskey: The corniest whiskey around, corn |
| countries shared pages with each other - but I assure | | | | whiskey is composed of at least 80 percent maize |
| you it is only due to the vastness American Whiskey | | | | (no, this does not count towards the food pyramid's |
| contains. Hey, if you don't believe me, take it up with | | | | required servings of vegetables). The Dick Clark of |
| Jim and Jack. | | | | whiskey, Corn Whiskey does not have to age. If it is |
| American Whiskey comes in both blended and straight | | | | aged, the aging is short, usually around six months. |
| forms. Both types possess individual rules and | | | | This aging, or lack there of, is the main difference |
| regulations and, perhaps most importantly, unique | | | | between Bourbon and Corn Whiskey. Bourbon must |
| tastes. | | | | be aged in charred, new barrels whereas Corn |
| Tennessee Whiskey: A Gemini, this whiskey hails from | | | | Whiskey - if it's aged - must be placed in either used |
| its namesake and enjoys long walks on the beach and | | | | barrels, or uncharred oak barrels. |
| being made of corn. Tennessee Whiskey is similar to | | | | Moonshine: It's hard to think about Prohibition without |
| Bourbon in composition, at least fifty one percent must | | | | thinking about Moonshine. Slang for alcohol distilled at |
| be maize based. It must then be aged in new barrels, | | | | home, Moonshine likely got its name from being made, |
| usually for at least four years. | | | | delivered, and distributed under darkness, when law |
| The main difference between Bourbon and | | | | enforcement wasn't as vigilant. During times when |
| Tennessee Whiskey is that the latter is put through a | | | | alcohol was outlawed, Moonshine was particularly |
| filtering method called the Lincoln County Process. | | | | popular and smuggled into homes and businesses. |
| During this process, whiskey is filtered through a maple | | | | Typically thought of as a very strong spirit, Moonshine |
| charcoal prior to aging. Ultimately, this gives Tennessee | | | | is made when sugar is fermented by yeast and |
| Whiskey a flavor that is highly removed from Bourbon. | | | | ethanol is produced. The alcohol is then separated |
| Today, Jack Daniels and George Dickel are the two | | | | through distillation. Since the process was initially illegal, |
| Tennessee Whiskeys available. | | | | Moonshine wasn't usually aged and sometimes |
| Bourbon: Typically known as Kentucky's drink, Bourbon | | | | contained toxins and lacked purity. Presently, it is still |
| must be made up of at least 51 percent corn, but | | | | produced, mainly in Virginia. |
| usually contains near 70 percent. The remaining | | | | So, there you have it. Go out and order Bourbon or a |
| ingredients include wheat, malted barely, or rye. Many | | | | Jim Beam (try to stay away from the Moonshine) and |
| Bourbons are aged for four years, but, by law, they | | | | make whiskey your own. Except if our paths cross: in |
| must be aged for at least two years to be considered | | | | that case, buy a round for me and make whiskey my |
| "Straight." | | | | own. |
| Presently, the vast majority of Bourbon is made in | | | | |