Quote:
Originally Posted by bobowar135
I'm led to believe that Kentucky Straight Bourbon must be matured in brand new barrels. So there must be a hell of a lot of used barrels out there waiting to be filled with something else.  |
Based on this online requirement to be called bourbon:
On 4 May 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States.” The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 CFR 5) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:
- Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
- Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
- Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.
- Bourbon may not be introduced to the barrel at higher than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
- Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years, may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.
- Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
- If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
- Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.
Yup. Gotta be a LOT of used barrels from Bourbon. I think many are shipped to Scotland for scotch aging. I guess some reroute through use as barrels for sherry and other stuff before getting to scotland adding some flavor to the final scotch product. Thus my favorite scotch - Balvenie Doublewood.
