Beyond Kentucky: Phenomenal American Craft Whiskeys that Redefine Bourbon

When most people think of bourbon, they picture the rolling hills and distilleries of Kentucky. But in reality, bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States as long as it meets certain legal standards. In the past few years, a new wave of American craft whiskey distillers has come on the scene. These distillers are pushing old ideas and making great bourbons outside of Kentucky. In this piece, we talk about what bourbon needs to be, how it can come from different places, and a few great American craft whiskeys from distillers all over the country. Many of these bourbons have won their place in prestigious whiskey clubs and whiskey subscriptions, such as Blind Barrels, which shows off the best American craft whiskey.

Requirements for Bourbon

To be called bourbon officially, a whiskey must meet certain standards set by the U.S. government. Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits say that bourbon must meet the following requirements:

1. Ingredients: Bourbon must be made with at least 51% corn, which gives it its signature sweetness. Malted barley, rye, and wheat are usually the other grains, which add to the end flavor profile.

2. Distillation: The product can't be more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume), and it shouldn't be more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume) when it goes into the barrel to age.

3. Aging: Bourbon must be aged in new wood barrels that have been burned. Laws don't say how long bourbon must be kept, but for it to be called "straight bourbon," it must be at least two years old.

4. Proof: The end bottled bourbon must have at least 80% alcohol by volume, or 80% proof.

5.Geographic Origin: Many people think of whiskey as being from Kentucky, but it doesn't have to be made only in that state. Bourbon can be made properly in the United States by any distillery that meets the above requirements.

There are some amazing American craft whiskeys made by distillers who are not in Kentucky.

1. 10th Mountain Bourbon - Colorado: This distillery in Colorado makes a strong and tasty bourbon in honor of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. The fact that it tastes so rich and smooth shows how hard they worked to make it.

2. Blackbutton Bourbon - New York: The small-batch bourbon made by Blackbutton Distilling in Rochester, New York, is famous. With a mix of corn, rye, and malted barley in the mashbill, their bourbon has a smooth and unique taste.

3. Southern Star Bourbon - North Carolina: From the heart of the South, Southern Star Distilling Company makes an excellent bourbon with corn, malted barley, and red winter wheat in the mashbill. This makes a spirit that is velvety smooth and delicious.

4. Frey Ranch Bourbon - Nevada: Frey Ranch Distillery is making a name for itself in Nevada with its estate-grown grains and careful distillation process. Their bourbon shows off the area's unique soil and climate.

5. Krobar Bourbon - California: The Krobar Craft Distillery in Paso Robles, California, makes a unique bourbon with corn, malted barley, and rye in the "mashbill." This artisanal spirit has a mix of flavors that work well together.

Blind Barrels: Celebrating the best in American Craft Whiskey

Blind Barrels is a well-known whiskey club and subscription service that has become a leader in putting together collections of the best American craft whiskeys. They celebrate the different kinds of whiskey by selling great bourbons from all over the country, not just Kentucky. Through their lineup of blind whiskey tastings, members get to try all of the different flavors and types of American craft whiskey.

No longer is the world of whiskey just the hills of Kentucky. Craft whiskey distillers all over the United States have broken rules and changed what bourbon can be. By following the rules, these distillers have made amazing bourbons that can compete with the best in the business. Brands like 10th Mountain, Blackbutton, Southern Star, Frey Ranch, and Krobar have been praised for what they bring to the world of bourbon. As the top whiskey club and whiskey subscription service, Blind Barrels welcomes the best of American craft whiskey by showcasing bourbons from different parts of the country. This gives whiskey fans a chance to learn more about the rich and varied world of this beloved spirit. As more craft distillers keep trying new things and coming up with new ideas, the future of American craft whiskey looks better than ever.