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A Beginner’s Guide to American Whiskey
American whiskey is deeply woven into the fabric of American history, tradition and culture. Originally brought to the northeastern states of America by early Irish and Scots settlers, this sweet, smooth and characterful spirit is now made all across the USA, from the rolling hills of Kentucky to the wooded glens of Vermont.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about American whiskey - from its history, styles, production methods and the best ways to serve it. Plus, we’ll recommend some standout bourbon, rye whiskey and American single malt whiskey for you to try.
Firstly…
What is American whiskey?
American whiskey is a barrel aged, distilled spirit made from grains like corn, rye, malted barley, and wheat.
What is the origin of American whiskey?
The history of whiskey in the USA goes back to the early 17th century when settlers from Ireland and Scotland, who already had centuries of experience turning barley crops into whiskey, brought their skills and knowledge with them. The area they typically settled in was the northeastern United States – Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York - where the climate was temperate, and crops like rye grew abundantly.
By the 18th century, settlers moved on to discover new lands. They headed south to the states of Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, where corn grew well in the slightly warmer climate. They used the same production methods as they had for producing rye whiskey to make an early form of bourbon using corn.
What about the charred casks?
The newly distilled bourbon would be shipped down the Mississippi River in the spring to New Orleans – a former French colony, where brandy was incredibly popular.
Since brandy was traditionally aged in charred oak barrels, it was only a matter of time before bourbon followed suit. Before long, aging in charred oak barrels became standard practice all over the USA.
Types of American whiskey
There are four main types of American whiskey.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a grain whiskey that, by law, can only be produced from a mashbill (recipe) of at least 51% corn and must be aged in new, charred oak barrels (or casks).
Although bourbon whiskey can be produced anywhere in the USA, the production has deeply historical ties with the state of Kentucky, where it has been made since the late 18th century.
Rye Whiskey
American rye whiskey is crafted from a mashbill of at least 51% rye. The rest may consist of corn, malted barley and wheat in any ratio the distiller prefers before being aged in new, charred oak barrels.
American rye whiskey can be made anywhere in the USA but is commonly produced in the northeastern United States.
Tennessee Whiskey
Like bourbon, Tennessee whiskey is made from a mashbill of at least 51% corn. It’s aged in new, charred oak barrels but undergoes a filtration process, known as the Lincoln County Process, prior to aging.
The Lincoln County Process involves filtering the new make spirit through a 3-metre-deep bed of sugar maple charcoal chips, which is thought to mellow the whiskey and prime it, ready for aging.
Tennessee whiskey can only be made within the state of Tennessee.
American Single Malt Whiskey
Contrary to popular belief, Scotch whisky isn’t the only nation with a single malt category. American single malt whiskey must be made from 100% malted barley from one single distillery. Unlike bourbon and rye whiskey, American single malt whiskey can be aged in pre-used (refill) barrels which don’t have to be charred.
American single malt whiskey can only be made in the USA. In December 2024, it became recognised as an official category of whiskey by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The ruling came into effect in January 2025, making it the first new official American whiskey category for 52 years.
How is American whiskey made?
Bourbon, rye and Tennessee whiskey are produced by fermenting a mash of grains and adding a ‘sour mash’ from a previous batch. Then the fermented mash is heated in a column still, separating alcohol from water and impurities. The vapourised alcohol rises, condenses into liquid, and is collected. A second distillation, in a modified copper pot still, refines it further.
American single malt whiskey is produced by mashing grist (a coarse grain flour) into a sugary liquid called ‘wort’. The wort is fermented for two to seven days to produce a ‘wash’ which is then distilled either in one continuous still or in two copper pot stills.
What is the minimum number of years an American whiskey must be aged for?
American whiskey does not have a legal minimum aging requirement unless it is labelled as ‘Straight whiskey’ or as ‘Bottled-in-Bond’ whiskey.
Straight Whiskey
For a spirit to be labelled as ‘Straight’, it must be aged for a minimum of two years, but if it has been aged for less than four years, it must state its age clearly on the label.
Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey
Must be aged for at least four years in a government-controlled bonded warehouse and be bottled at no less than 100 proof (50% ABV).
What does American whiskey taste like?
American whiskey covers a whole spectrum of flavours – from toasty and sweet to spicy, with notes of vanilla, caramel and coconut. The flavour depends on the type of whiskey, the dominant grain used in production and how it’s been aged.
Bourbon
Flavour profile: Sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch.
Rye whiskey
Flavour profile: Spicy, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee and stone fruits.
Tennessee whiskey
Flavour profile: Sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel and delicate smoke.
American single malt whiskey
Flavour profile: Malty, with a varying range of notes from oak, fruit and spice.
What’s the best way to drink American whiskey?
The best way to drink American whiskey depends entirely on your own preference.
· Neat – allows you to savour complex flavours and aroma.
· With water or with ice - reduces the alcohol content and opens subtle flavours.
· Mixed – into classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan.
How much sugar is in American whiskey?
American whiskey, including bourbon and rye, contains almost no sugar. During fermentation, yeast converts sugars from the grain into alcohol. As a result, most American whiskeys have less than 0.5 grams of sugar per litre.
Our top picks – American whiskey
Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey makes the best bourbon for a beginner. It’s rich and smooth, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and spice, culminating in a warm, oaky finish.
Rye Whiskey
Knob Creek Straight Kentucky Rye Whiskey delivers bold spice, rich caramel, and oak flavours, with a smooth, lingering finish and a hint of peppery warmth.
American Single Malt Whiskey
Balcones Texas Single Malt Whiskey brims with rich toffee, dark fruit, and roasted nut flavours, with a velvety texture and a long, warming finish.
So, whether you prefer the smooth sweetness of bourbon, the bold spice of rye, or the flavour variance of American single malt whiskey, there’s a style for every palate. For a full range of American whiskey, including bourbon, rye and single malt whiskeys, plus glassware, whisky gift sets and gift vouchers, visit Still Spirit today.
