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A lot of people know a whole lot more about whiskey than they did a few years ago. But still, enter your average bar and you’ll find plenty of folks confused about whiskey’s assorted classifications and terminologies. That includes the difference between bourbon and Scotch.
First, both Scotch and bourbon are whiskies, so they’re under the same umbrella but they’re legally defined in different ways. Quite importantly, that includes that they’re required to be made in different places.
Bourbon has to be made in the United States, although not necessarily from Kentucky. Scotch, as you may be able to infer from the name, has to be made in Scotland.
Is that the only way they’re different though? Not even close!
Bourbon can be made from a variety of grains but must consist of at least 51% corn. The most common other grains that are used for bourbon include rye, wheat, and malted barley, although an even more diverse spectrum is now being used as well.
Scotch is the domain of malted barley. Single malts or blended malts must be made from 100% malted barley. The “single” in this case also refers to the fact that the whisky is produced at a single distillery. Scotch grain whisky can be made with other grains, most typically corn or wheat, and blended Scotch includes a mixture of single malts and single grains.
