Scotch and bourbon are two of the biggest names in whisky (or whiskey), but they can feel surprisingly confusing when you are choosing a bottle. One comes from Scotland, the other from the United States, but the differences go far beyond geography.
From the grains used to the casks they are matured in, Scotch and bourbon offer very different drinking experiences. Neither is better than the other. It is simply a question of what you enjoy, what you are in the mood for, and which flavors you want in your glass.
So, before you pick your next bottle, let’s break down what actually separates Scotch from bourbon.
Whisky vs. Scotch
Whisky is the umbrella term. Scotch is a type of whisky, but not all whisky is Scotch. You can say exactly the same for bourbon, as well as any other type of whisky.
Scotch, in this case, refers to single malts, blends, and all the other types of whisky created in Scotland. These whiskies have to be made from either 100% malted barley, in the case of single malt, or from a combination of malted barley and other grains, in the case of single grain. Blend those together and you get blended Scotch whisky, including brands such as Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal.
At its simplest, whisky is made through the mashing, fermentation, and distillation of grains, before being aged in oak and bottled at no less than 40% ABV, or 80 proof. There are more technicalities depending on the country and style, but that is essentially whisky in a nutshell, even with the different spellings.
Scotch vs. Bourbon
So now we are defining different types of whisky (or ‘whiskey’, in the case of bourbon).
Scotch, as stated above, has a lot of rules around it. For instance, let’s say we are talking about single malt specifically. That whisky has to be made from 100% malted barley, water, and yeast.
Everything has to be done at one distillery, and it must be bottled in Scotland at no less than 40% ABV, or 80 proof, after being aged for a minimum of three years in oak. This is a simplification, but it works for the sake of a quick comparison.
Taste-wise, Scotch has one of the most diverse flavor profiles of any whisky made in the world. It can range from sweet and mellow to heavily peated and smoky.
Bourbon whiskey has to be made from a minimum of 51% corn. The other 49% can be made up of any other grain, although malted barley is often used to help kick-start the development of alcohol during fermentation.
Bourbon also has to be aged in oak, although there is no minimum aging requirement to call it bourbon. If it is below four years old, its age must be stated on the label. To be called straight bourbon, it must be aged for at least two years.
Because it is made from corn, bourbon is naturally sweeter, with flavors often driven by caramel, vanilla, and butter. Bourbon can also be made in any state in the United States. It is not just something from Kentucky.
Again, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
Does Scotch Have To Come From Scotland?
Yes. Question answered.
Let’s not be quite so short, though. Much like Cognac, Champagne, and bourbon, Scotch whisky has to be made in Scotland. That means anywhere in Scotland. Whether it is produced in central Edinburgh or on a distant island off the coast, it is still Scottish.
What Makes Scotch Taste Different From Bourbon?
There are many answers to this question. Let’s start with the grains. Malted barley is a more savory-driven grain, while corn is naturally sweeter, so bourbon will usually lead with sweeter notes.
Then we have the way they are distilled. Scotch whisky is mainly pot distilled. These stills do not rectify the spirit to such a high level of alcohol, so you retain a lot of congeners and texture.
Bourbon is mostly distilled in column stills. Not always, but mostly. These stills rectify to a higher ABV, which can strip away some flavors and textural profiles. That said, with both types of still, a lot depends on where you make your cuts and what percentage of your distillate you choose to put into casks.
Next, we have cask choices. Bourbon legally has to be matured in brand-new charred oak casks. As a result, the spice from these freshly charred casks provides a lot of flavor and color. It also provides a decent level of spice, which helps counteract how sweet the distillate can be.
Scotch whisky is typically matured in reused casks, mostly ex-bourbon, but also ex-sherry, ex-port, and other types of casks. Because these casks have already been used once, much of that initial flavor intensity has been softened. This allows Scotch whisky to take on oak and cask flavors at a slower rate.
Weather is the final factor. Aging whisky is a little like driving a racing car: the hotter your tires, the faster you go. Now, whisky does not technically age quicker in hotter climates. Nothing ages quickly. One year is one year. What the heat in Kentucky does is allow more interaction between the wood and the spirit. The spirit penetrates deeper into the oak, but there is also a higher rate of evaporation.
In Scotland, the weather is colder, so whisky can be held in casks for much longer without taking on as much oak intensity, and with lower levels of evaporation.
Which Is Stronger?
Both legally cannot be bottled below 40% ABV, or 80 proof, and both styles have cask-strength or barrel-proof options available from multiple producers.
If by “stronger” we mean flavor intensity, the answer becomes more subjective. A heavily peated Scotch may feel more powerful because of its smoke, medicinal notes, and coastal character. A high-proof bourbon may feel stronger because of its alcohol heat, oak, spice, and sweetness. Neither style is automatically stronger than the other. It depends on the bottle, the proof, and the flavors you personally find most intense.
Which Should You Buy?
Again, there is no straightforward answer. Bourbon is still often seen as a blue-collar, working-class product. Scotch whisky, meanwhile, has taken on this mantle of premium and prestige, which I really dislike. Both styles were byproducts of farming, so there should not be anything inherently prestigious about either of them.
That aside, it is all about what you are in the mood for. My ultimate answer would be to buy a bottle of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old. Pour them side by side and taste between them. See which profile you prefer.
Also, bear in mind that tastes always change. One is not always the answer forever.
The Best Way To Choose Is To Taste
So many answers, and still so many questions. The only way to find out which one you should start with is to go out and try them. I love writing things like this, but I cannot tell you what your tastebuds and brain will enjoy. That is a journey you have to forge for yourself.
Get to a local whisky event, festival, or tasting session, and get involved. Chat to everyone and make some new whisky friends. Opinions will be strong, but that is what makes the category so much fun.
Read the full article at Scotch vs. Bourbon: Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Bottle
