Whiskey is an internationally manufactured liquor with various techniques and combinations of flavors. As noted by Britannica, distilled whiskey comes from a blend of different grains, such as rye, wheat, corn, and barley. It is then placed in wooden barrels for the aging process, and after waiting a few years, it is bottled and distributed. Depending on where and how whiskey (or “whisky”) is made, it can vary in taste and flavor (per Master Class). Canadian whisky, like Crown Royal, is well-known as a light liquor with caramel and citrus-like notes. Jameson and other Irish whiskeys lean more towards sweet and spicy tones and are usually made from malt and barley.
For a whiskey to be considered bourbon, Food & Wine reports that it must be made from a grain blend of 51% corn, aged for two years in an unused charred oak barrel, and manufactured in America. Bourbon is typically sweeter, more oak-flavored, and contains no added flavors or coloring agents. It also follows a strict distilling process. But despite the unique differences between bourbon and whiskey, the two are often mistaken for each other. For example, Jack Daniel’s is often referred to as a bourbon rather than a Tennessee whiskey because of its similar distilling process and blended mash. However, the company states that its pre-aged whiskey contains 10% less alcohol by volume (140 proof) compared to a bourbon’s normal requirement of at least 160 proof.