Highlights
– The difference between rye, bourbon, and Irish whiskey pertains to the strength of the predominant grain in the grain mash that is fermented to make the whiskey.
– Rye is the predominant grain in rye whiskey, accounting for at least 51% of the grain mash, while corn is the predominant grain in bourbon.
– Bourbon is an American whiskey, rye is Canadian and Irish whiskey is made in Ireland.
Introduction
Whiskey is a popular alcoholic beverage made from grain. It has been consumed by many throughout history for its intoxicating effects. There are different types of whiskies such as rye, bourbon, and Irish whiskey that people often get confused about. This article aims to clarify the basic differences between these three types of whiskies.
Rye
Rye whiskey is popular in the US and Canada. It is made from a grain mash that contains at least 51% rye, with the remaining ingredients being malt, barley, or corn. However, in Canada, some whiskies called rye actually don’t contain any rye at all. A whiskey becomes rye when the percentage of rye in the grain mash exceeds 51%. Rye whiskey must be distilled at less than 80% ABV and aged in charred wooden barrels for a minimum of 2 years. It has a distinct spiciness and dry taste.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of whiskey that is highly popular in North America. It is made from a grain mash that contains at least 51% corn and must be distilled to not less than 160 proof. Like rye, it must also be aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of 2 years. Bourbon can only be called bourbon if it is made in the United States, similar to how Scotch is only called Scotch if it is made in Scotland.
Irish Whiskey
As the name suggests, Irish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland. It must be distilled to less than 94.8% ABV to be considered Irish. It is mostly made from triple distilled malt grain mash, giving it a sweet taste. The temperature during distillation is kept low to maintain this sweetness.
Rye vs Bourbon vs Irish Whiskey
The main difference between rye, bourbon, and Irish whiskey lies in the type of grain used as the predominant ingredient in the grain mash. Rye whiskey is characterized by its use of rye as the predominant grain (at least 51% rye), while bourbon is known for its high percentage of corn in the mash. Irish whiskey is predominantly made from malt. Another significant difference is that bourbon must be made in the US, whereas Irish whiskey is made in Ireland.
In terms of taste, rye whiskey is very dry, bourbon is spicy, and Irish whiskey is delicate and sweet. Both rye and bourbon are American whiskeys, while Irish whiskey has its origins in Ireland.
