http://www.whiskeyprof.com/theres-only-3-general-bourbon-recipes-yall/ making mine using red wheat instead of rye.
There�s Only 3 General Bourbon Mash Bill�s Y�all � THREE
People are always asking me what the exact recipes for bourbons. Some distillers keep their recipes a family secret; and why not? I mean it IS theirs. Some distilleries will tell ya, like Four Roses or Maker�s Mark. But when it comes down to it, does 1% more rye or corn there make a difference? Well of course it does to that distiller, but flavor wise, I say it really doesn�t. Now THAT�S a bold statement. Did you hear me? I�M SCREAMING IT!!!
Well of course it makes a differnce�but the recipe is just one of many pieces of the puzzle to making bourbon and rye whiskey. The recipe is crucial, but what yeast strain are you using? Are you using one at all or just using a dry yeast, are you using a jug yeast, a family jug yeast? Then what proof you bring it off the still? What�s the barrelling proof? Where you store it in the rack house and for how long? What�s the bottling strength and do you cold chill filter it? All are good questions�So that�s my argument. All bourbons fall in to 3 general bourbon recipes. A Traditional, a High Rye, and a Wheat. Then there are recipes for Straight Rye Whiskies.
Check out the article on this site about the �DISTILLERS RULE OF THUMB� and that will explain what recipes, yearst steains, etc. lend to the final outcome.
So here I�ve made it easy, and listed the Grains we use and what they contribute. The recipes and what you can expect from them. How the barrel and aging effects the bourbon, and then the bourbons that fall in to those 3 general recipes. I hope you find it helpful when finding your common denominator for your favorite bourbons. Enjoy!
Grains and what they contribute
This information was gathered by me from many sources; Whisky Magazine. Malt Advocate, and talking with several master distillers.
Corn � Is what gives Bourbon it�s signature flavor and is considered the �engine� that provides the highest yield of alcohol per bushel of all the grains. The flavor of corn is very prevalent fresh off the still in the White Dog. But over years of aging, corn becomes neutral, and lends mostly in the over all sweetness to the finished product.
Barley � Prized mainly for it�s enzymes for converting starches to sugar for the fermentation process so the yeast can feed on the sugars. Where corn is the �engine�, malted barley is considered the �work horse� that delivers these enzymes. Barley provides some flavor with the underlying malty and chocolate notes along with some dryness. Usually only around 5% � 14% of any grain bill, the use of barley is mainly for those enzymes, and gives it that biscuity texture.
Rye & Wheat � contribute most significantly to the flavor of mature bourbon. They are referred to as the �flavoring grains�. Any grains can be used like oats, or rice, but these two are only ones used, with Rye being the dominant flavoring grain with distillers.
Rye- brings a range of spice notes including pepper, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon which are all intensified during the aging process. Think of eating a piece of rye bread. Rye gives bourbon that wonderful flavorful �bite� that it is known for.
Wheat � Wheat results in a sweeter tasting bourbon, but not because the grain is sweeter. Wheat is not as rich as rye so it allows more of the sweetness of the corn and vanilla to show through, compared to rye.
The Three Recipe�s or Mash Bill�s in bourbon
Traditional Bourbon Recipe (my term, not industry�s) � 70-80% corn �with the balance rye and some barley. Think of sweet and spicy, back of the tongue experience. Bourbon can be up to 100% corn, but corn becomes neutral during aging only keeping the sweetness, so a flavoring grain of rye is used, and of course the barley for converting those starches in to sugar, and that biscuity quality and hints of chocolate.
High Rye Bourbon Recipe � 18% + rye � dials back on the corn, keeping basically the same amount of barley as a Traditional Bourbon, but doubles up on the rye. Rye is a back of the tongue experience, and gives it that nice white pepper spice like a slice of rye bread. These bourbons will be less sweet and more spicey.
Wheat Bourbon Recipe � 70-80% corn � similar to Traditional, but replace the rye with wheat. Wheat allows the sweetness of the corn, and the sugars from the barrel to be more pronounced. Think �soft and sweet�, with a front of the tongue experience.
Barrels and Aging
The recipe is the soul of the bourbon, and the Barrel and aging provide varying flavors depending on how long it is aged for, and what type of warehouse, and the location of those barrels inside a rack house. Barrel aging is responsible from anywhere between 50% to up to 75% of the final flavor of a bourbon depending on where the barrel is stored and for how long.
There are six different types of vanillas you get from a barrel. And it takes a good six years to get bold vanillas out of a barrel. So younger bourbons will not have pronounced vanillas. Bourbons 6 years or more will have more pronounced vanillas.
Resulting barrel notes are: vanilla, maple, caramel, ginger, clove, toffee, cinnamon, fruits and toasted nuts.
High Rye Bourbon Recipes
Old Grand Dad Basil Hayden�s Four Roses Bulleit
Very Old Barton Kentucky Tavern 1792 Old Forester
Wheat Bourbon Recipes
W.L. Weller Maker�s Mark *Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a
Old Fitzgerald Van Winkle straight wheat whiskey (at least
Rebel Yell Larceny 51% wheat) � it is not a wheat bourbon.
Traditional Bourbon Recipes � EVERYTHING ELSE including
Jim Beam Evan Williams Booker�s Wild Turkey
Knob Creek Eagle Rare J.T.S. Brown Woodford Reserve
Elijah Craig Buffalo Trace Old Crow Heaven Hill
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