
American Whiskey
The main styles of American whiskey are set out in US federal law, which governs the production methods and ageing process.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky
The styles of American whiskey can broadly be sub-divided into the following sections:
- Bourbon
- Produced using a mash of 51%-80% corn, and aged in new, charred white-oak barrels, bourbons display the sweeter style associated with American whiskey.
- Corn
- Must contain at least 80% corn in the mashbill and aged in uncharred oak barrels, corn whiskey is the historical style of American whiskey – inexpensive, aged for a short time and intended for immediate consumption, these show off the spirit’s natural character .
- Rye
- Made from a mash of at least 51% rye and aged in new charred-oak barrels, these are spicier and fuller-bodied than bourbons, making an excellent alternative to bourbon in the classic Old Fashioned cocktail.
- Tennessee
- Made from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred-oak barrels, these differ from bourbon in two ways: they must be made in the state of Tennessee, and generally use the Lincoln County Process, whereby the whiskey is filtered through maple charcoal before bottling. The prime example of this is Jack Daniel’s, whose iconic No.7 bottling is famous the world over.
- Wheat
- Using a mash of at least 51% wheat, and aged in new, charred white-oak barrels; it’s only the grain which differentiates wheat whiskey from bourbon, resulting in a softer style.
- White Dog
- White Dog is the American term used for unaged whiskey, also known as ‘moonshine’ or ‘white whiskey’. Bottled directly after distillation, usually with water added to reduce it to drinking strength, these show off the character of a distillery’s spirit in its most natural form.
- Other American
- Other style of American whiskey include single malt, blended and flavour infusions, as well as those made by craft or micro-distilleries which do not fit into any of the above categories for various production reasons.
Typical Character and Style of American Whiskey
Vanilla
Toffee
Oak
Cinnamon
Filter By
Price Range
Bottling Status
Category
Country
Region
Brand
Flavour Profile
Age
Vintage
Type
Cask Type
Single Cask
Bottler
Series
Strength
Size
Certification
Limited Edition
Food Pairing
Colouring
Flavour

Early Times 5 Year OldBot.1970s
£350

William Larue Weller BourbonBot.2014
£3,750

Thomas H Handy Sazerac RyeBot.2014
£1,250

George T StaggBot.2014
£2,000

Michter's US*1 Unblended American Whiskey
£61.75

Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald 195610 Year Old Bot.1966
£4,000

Four Roses Yellow Label 6 Year OldBot.1970s
£325

Old Potrero 18th Century Style Rye Spirit
£85.75

Tincup American Whiskey
£35.75

Very Old Fitzgerald 19548 Year Old Bot.1962
£3,500

Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon (43.5%)
£45.50

William Larue Weller BourbonBot.2013
£2,500

Thomas H Handy Sazerac RyeBot.2013
£1,500

George T StaggBot.2013
£2,000

High West Campfire
£84.25

Willett's Pot Still Reserve Single Barrel BourbonMagnum
£163

Very Xtra Old Fitzgerald 195810 Year Old Bot.1969
£4,000

Black Saddle 12 Year Old Bourbon
£73.95

I W Harper Gold MedalBot.1980s
£299

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac RyeBot.2011
£1,250

Black Maple Hill Small Batch Rye
£199

George T StaggSpring Lot A Bot.2005
£5,500

Jack Daniel's Tennessee BicentennialBot.1996
£650

Early Times 4 Year OldBot.1970s
£350

Hirsch Kentucky Straight Corn Whisky
£55.95

Buck Bourbon 8 Year Old
£66.95

Wasmund's Single Malt Whisky
£63.50

RI1 Rye Whisky
£66.75

Jack Daniel's Tennessee BicentennialBot.1996
£600

Stillbrook Old Style Whiskey
£31.95

Jack Daniel's Scenes from Lynchburg No.8
£299

George T StaggBot.2003
£4,200

George T StaggBot.2004
£4,200

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
£110

Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
£59.95

Pure Kentucky XO
£68.50

Johnny Drum Black Label
£42.50

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee WhiskeyHalf Bottle
£15.75

Jack Daniel's Scenes from Lynchburg No.7
£399

Jack Daniel's Scenes from Lynchburg No.6
£299

George T StaggFall Release Bot.2005
£6,000

George T StaggSpring Lot B Bot.2005
£5,500

Evan Williams Green Label
£46.95

Evan Williams 1783 Bourbon
£52.25

Early Times 4 Year OldBot.1980s
£299

Bernheim Original
£81.25