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