Corn whiskey is a distilled spirit made from mashed corn, with basic corn whiskey being the highest percentage of mashed corn and not requiring aging. Bourbon, a type of corn whiskey, is aged in oak barrels and has legal restrictions on production and distribution. Moonshine corn whiskey was popular during Prohibition, and high-alcohol corn whiskeys have led to the development of cocktails. Bourbon is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the US, with its main areas of production in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Corn whiskey refers to a variety of distilled spirits made using a certain percentage of mashed corn. Basic corn whiskey, historically a kind of moonshine liquor, contains the highest percentage of mashed corn and, unlike other varieties, does not require aging. Another American liquor distilled from corn is bourbon, which is aged in oak barrels for a legally specified minimum amount of time, which allows it to develop a more complex flavor and color than that of the unaged liquor. All corn whiskeys are distilled to a minimum of 40% ABV (80 proof), although bourbon is made with a legal upper limit for alcohol and proof.
Moonshine corn whiskey was especially popular in the United States during Prohibition from 1920 to 1933. Its easy production and rapid aging were qualities that were very useful to cobblers who made and sold alcohol illegally. Its legality has fluctuated in different regions of the United States since the end of Prohibition.
Corn-based moonshine is generally made at high proof and alcohol content, sometimes as high as 90% ABV 180 proof, and is never made below 40% ABV 80 proof. Straight corn whiskey is distilled from a minimum of 80% corn mash mixed with water, a process similar to that used in the production of ethanol fuel. The tart flavor and burning sensation of many high-alcohol corn whiskeys have led to the development of a variety of cocktails to make drinking easier.
Bourbon whiskey was originally made and named after historic Bourbon County, Kentucky. Unlike corn whiskey, bourbon is a recognized product in the United States and has several legal restrictions on its production and distribution. By law, bourbon must be distilled from at least 51% corn mash and cannot be bottled below 40% ABV (80 tests) or above 80% ABV (160 tests). American law also requires bourbon to be aged in oak barrels and cannot contain added flavor or color. Most bourbons exceed these restrictions in quality, and that labeled straight bourbon whiskey, in general, is aged for four years or more.
Bourbon is one of the most popular and widely produced alcoholic beverages in the United States, with its main areas of production traditionally found in Kentucky and Tennessee, although it has been produced in many other regions. It is a flexible liqueur that can be drunk straight and mixable in many cocktails. In terms of popularity, legality, and production, bourbon is the corn whiskey of choice.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
