Here’s What Makes Up a Bourbon Mash Bill
As bourbon consumption continues soaring, people continue asking the exact recipe of different types of whiskey such as mash bills, or even details such as barrel char and barrel entry proof and how they affect the taste of the whiskey. Most distillers keep their recipes a secret, but others see no issue letting you know at all. Here’s what makes up a bourbon mash bill:
- 1. Corn- This is the source of bourbon’s signature flavor. It is the “engine” that adds sweetness to bourbon. The flavor of corn fades with time and is therefore prevalent in fresh whiskey. Most distillers put corn in a range of between 51% and 80%. Anything less than this is no longer bourbon, while anything more than 80% is corn whiskey.
- 2. Barley- Sometimes overlooked by some, bourbon barley plays a crucial role in the mash bill. It converts starches to sugar for the process of fermentation. It also provides some flavor and is only around 5% to 14% of any grain bill, mainly for enzymes. It gives the bourbon a malty and chocolate touch as well as some dryness.
- 3. Rye- It is the key ingredient used to flavor mature bourbon. It adds a spicy, nutmeg, pepper, minty, or cinnamon flavor. The percentage of rye in the mash bill among most distillers is between 8% and 35%.
- 4. Wheat- It is an alternative grain for bourbon flavoring. They come mostly in vanilla and toffee flavor notes. Although it can be an alternative, wheat is not tasty and sweet like rye.
As you go about your business, you might ask yourself what you will do if you don’t have knowledge about the recipe of a given bourbon brand. My advice is taste and drink what you love. Doing so will allow you to know your brand and feel it yourself- after all, the first step is always about knowing what you like and trying new things.
