Bourbon Making
Bourbon distillation is a meticulous process that joins tradition with technique. It begins with a mash bill, a mix of grains—primarily corn, alongside rye, barley, or wheat. This blend undergoes cooking to convert starches into fermentable sugars. Yeast is added to cause the fermentation process to begin.
The fermented liquid, known as “distiller’s beer,” moves to the still. Through heating, alcohol vaporizes, separating from water and other compounds due to its lower boiling point. The resulting distillate, “white dog” or “new make spirit,” emerges as a potent and clear liquid.
One of the critical factors in the distinct flavor of bourbon is the aging process that takes place in charred oak barrels, typically made from American white oak. The wood is caramelized during the charring process, which affects the taste and color of the bourbon.
Rickhouses are the buildings where freshly filled barrels undergo the maturing process. During this time, the bourbon interacts with the barrels’ wood, extracting flavors, colors, and compounds. This interaction is known as “aging,” and during this time, bourbon gains its complexity and develops a hint of vanilla, caramel, and spice from the wood.
The stored bourbon barrels will be at different locations within the rickhouse, resulting in various temperature fluctuations that impact the aging process. The liquid expands into the wood during hot summers, absorbing more flavors, while in colder winters, it contracts, releasing some of those absorbed flavors.
This aging period is a critical stage, legally requiring bourbon to age for at least two years to earn its bourbon designation. Although many higher-end bourbons mature for much longer, sometimes a decade or more.
Finally, after aging, the bourbon is ready for bottling. Some distilleries blend different barrels to achieve a consistent flavor profile, while others prefer to release single-barrel expressions that highlight the uniqueness of each cask. The art of bourbon distillation lies in balancing tradition, innovation, and patience.
Distillation Science
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