Bourbon vs Scotch

Bourbon vs Scotch: what’s the difference? Here’s a quick guide to the main differences between these types of whiskey (and some cocktails!).

Bourbon vs Scotch: what’s the difference? These two styles of whiskey could not be more different. Or should we say…whisky? Here’s what to know about the spelling differences, what makes each one unique, and a few popular cocktails to make with each one!

Bourbon vs Scotch: what’s the difference?

Bourbon and Scotch are both types of whiskey: the former is produced in America and the latter in Scotland. “Whisky” is the correct spelling for the Canadian and Scottish versions, whereas “whiskey” is the correct spelling for American and Irish-made versions. Here are the technical differences in production:

• Bourbon is a specific type of American whiskey that is made from at least 51% corn and aged in oak barrels. The name bourbon comes from Bourbon Country, Kentucky: the region where the spirit was invented. Today over 95% of the bourbon produced is made in Kentucky.
• Scotch is whisky made in Scotland from either barley or a mix of grains. There are several types of Scotch. The most common are Single malt Scotch, a whisky that’s from one distillery made from a mash of malted barley, and Blended Scotch, made by blending barrel-aged malt whisky and grain whisky.

The flavor: what does Scotch taste like vs bourbon?

Bourbon is considered easier to drink vs Scotch, which has a very distinct flavor. The breakdown in flavors is:

• Bourbon whiskey has a sweeter, more mellow flavor than Scotch, with notes of vanilla, oak and caramel. But there’s a wide variety of different flavors between bourbon brands: one expert breaks bourbons into 4 major categories: grain forward, nutmeg forward, caramel forward, and cinnamon forward.
• Scotch whisky has a sharp, distinct flavor that’s more of an acquired taste than bourbon. Blended Scotch is smoother: malty and buttery, with a spicy finish. Single malt Scotch tastes oaky and woody, with signature peaty and smoky notes. The level of smokiness is due to the time the barley is exposed to peat smoke during drying (peat is similar to moss that covers parts of Scotland).

Popular Scotch and Bourbon cocktails

Ready to mix that whiskey into drinks? When it comes to cocktails, Scotch is such a distinct type of whiskey that it should be treated with care. Only use it in a cocktail that calls specifically for Scotch. On the other hand, bourbon can be used in cocktails that call for any variety of whiskey, and is often swapped into cocktails that call for rye whiskey (like a Manhattan). See Bourbon vs Rye for more.

Popular Scotch Whisky Cocktails

Here are the most popular Scotch whiskey cocktails 

• Rob Roy A Manhattan with Scotch!
• Penicillin A modern classic that pairs Scotch with lemon and honey syrup.
• Blood and Sand A 1920’s drink featuring blood orange juice.
• Godfather Pair Scotch and amaretto!
• Rusty Nail A 1960’s throw-back with Scotch and Drambuie.

Popular Bourbon Cocktails

Some of the most popular bourbon cocktails are:

• Best Whiskey Sour One of the greats!
• New York Sour A whiskey sour on the bottom, red wine on top!
• Classic Old Fashioned Whiskey, sugar and bitters: the OG cocktail.
• Whiskey Highball This one works any type of whiskey: pair it with bubbles!
• Kentucky Mule Make the Moscow mule with bourbon instead of vodka.
• Boulevardier A Negroni using bourbon instead of gin.
• Bourbon Manhattan A Manhattan using bourbon instead of rye whiskey

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