Scotch vs Bourbon: What's the Difference?

Before we go on to explain the key differences between Scotch and Bourbon – and help you form a better picture of which might be more to your liking – it would be prudent to mention that Scotch whisky is made of many styles, the two most well-known of those being single malt and blended Scotch. 

Rather than discuss both of those whisky styles, for the purposes of keeping this exercise on the simpler side, we’ll be focusing on single malt Scotch whisky in this article, being the most prestigious style from Scotland as well as the most comparable to bourbon, in its prestige.

What Is Scotch Whisky?

Single malt Scotch whisky – without the ‘e’ – is distilled at a single distillery using copper pot stills, and must be distilled, matured and bottled in Scotland. It has to be aged for a minimum of three years in an oak cask, with common cask types being ex-bourbon, sherry, wine and rum. It’s then legally bottled at 40% ABV or higher. 

Historically, Scotch whisky has been divided into five regions, each with its own traditional character: Highlands (largest, most diverse), Lowlands (lighter, softer), Speyside (fruity, elegant), Islay (smoky, peated), Campbeltown (maritime, oily). 

However, in today’s whisky landscape, borders have been blurred, and those traditional characters aren’t as reflective of the regions as they once were. You’re now as likely to find peated whiskies from Speyside as you are smoke-free whiskies from Islay, or more delicate and fruitier Campbeltown offerings.

It’s for this very reason that we have set up Flavour Camps for the whisky in our range. Through these Flavour Camps you can easily explore the thousands of whiskies we have to offer by their most fundamental characteristics – malt and honey, rich fruit and spice, maritime and smoky, and so on – rather than by region. The flavour-first approach when it comes to classifying Scotch whisky is far more useful and appropriate than that of the geographic designation. 

What Is Bourbon?

Bourbon whiskey – with an ‘e’ – must be made from a recipe called a mash bill containing at least 51% corn and must be made in the United States. It’s aged in new, charred oak barrels with no minimum ageing period required (except if it’s ‘straight bourbon’ which then must be aged for a minimum of two years). Kentucky has become synonymous with bourbon over the years, but Bourbon can be and is made all over the USA. 

Scotch vs Bourbon: The Key Differences

Six key factors are at play when looking at the difference between Scotch and Bourbon, all laid out below:

Origin
Scotch whisky can only come from Scotland

Bourbon can only come from the USA

Grains
Single malt Scotch whisky uses only malted barley 

Bourbon uses a corn-led mash bill

Barrels
Single malt Scotch whisky is predominantly aged in reused oak casks

Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak casks 

Climate
Scotch whisky is produced in a cooler, maritime climate which allows the whisky to develop over a longer time

Bourbon is produced in an overall hotter climate creating bolder flavours in a shorter time

Regulation Focus
Scotch is defined by its place of production, raw ingredients and traditional methods

Bourbon is defined by its ingredients and the use of new charred oak casks

How Do They Taste?

Scotch

A Scotch whisky flavour profile contains many a nuance, but very generally, you’ll find a Scotch is everything from light and delicate to bold and smoky. You’ll experience notes of smoke, peat, citrus, orchard fruit, dried fruit, malt and spice, depending on how it’s made, raw materials, and what type of cask it’s been aged in.

Bourbon

A Bourbon flavour profile is generally richer and sweeter, with the sweetness of the corn balanced by spice from rye or softness from wheat. You’ll encounter notes of vanilla, caramel, toffee, honey and baking spices, with a strong oak presence. 

How They’re Made: Production & Regulations

Scotch

Single malt Scotch starts with malted barley, mashed, fermented, and distilled in pot stills. The shape of the still and how the spirit is distilled help define its character, while slow ageing in Scotland’s cool climate brings out layered and varied, complex flavours. 

Bourbon

Bourbon begins with cooked grains and is distilled to a low strength in column stills, producing a robust spirit. Seasonal temperature swings push it in and out of the wood of the new charred oak barrels, extracting vanilla, caramel, and spice to create the sweet, bold flavours Bourbon is famous for.

Which Should You Choose?

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing between a Scotch and a Bourbon. Scotch will give you variety, breadth of flavours – smoky, malted, sherried, among many more – and an opportunity to explore whisky of lots of different styles. Bourbon provides sweet, bold flavours, with vanilla and caramel notes, and is ready to enjoy without as many years in the cask.

Can You Use Scotch and Bourbon in Cocktails?

Scotch

Traditionally sipped neat or with a splash of water, Scotch also shines in classic cocktails, like the Rob Roy. Lighter styles work well in highballs, while smoky expressions add depth to modern serves. 

Bourbon

With its sweet, oaky notes, Bourbon can work well in mixed drinks but it’s perfect on its own. It stars in classics like Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Mint Juleps, and pairs beautifully with sugar, bitters and citrus.

So. Two iconic whiskies. But two very different styles. Which to pour into your glass? That ultimately depends on your personal flavour preference. But occasion can have a bearing on your choice, too, as well as whether you want your drink neat or mixed. One thing to be sure of, though – whether Scotch or Bourbon, neither will disappoint.