September 1, 2022
You may have heard the adage, “All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.” Before you take another sip of bourbon, we’ll break it down for you: Basically, whiskey can only be classified as bourbon if distillers follow strict rules. According to the Distilled Spirits Beverage Alcohol Manual, bourbon must be fermented with a mix that contains at least 51% corn; it has to be distilled at an ABV of 80 (160 proof); and most iconically, it has to be aged in new, never before used charred oak barrels. And while most bourbon is made in Kentucky, it’s not actually a requirement that bourbon is distilled in that state (via Dana McMahan of the Courier-Journal).
So with the rise in popularity of flavored whiskeys and bourbons, here is a shocking truth: Bourbon cannot contain added flavorings and still be considered bourbon (via TTB.gov.) So there’s some debate as to whether or not these bourbons mixed with flavoring or liqueurs should be marketed as bourbon. But for the sake of ease, and because the last thing we need is another brain teaser when all we want to do is drink delicious spirits, let’s just say the following flavored-whiskeys-that-were-once-bourbon are the best out there.
5. Ballotin Peanut Butter Chocolate
If you’re that person who dug through every trick-or-treat bag to find the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, then this is the whiskey for you. (Assuming you are not still a child. If you’re under 21, please just stick with candy for now.) Ballotin is a Kentucky-based bourbon distillery that has taken the genius step of blending not one but TWO flavors into its whiskey: peanut butter and chocolate. As we know, both flavors mix well with bourbon on their own, but together? They sing.
According to Good Spirit News, the peanut butter and chocolate flavors are present but don’t overwhelm the whiskey flavor, which is a good thing. This means it tastes great on its own, mixed into a cocktail, or in a cup of coffee. Bachelor on the Cheap gave it five out of five stars, praising its Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Butterfinger flavors, with a smooth whiskey finish keeping it from being too sweet or cloying. In other words, it’s the perfect drink for anyone who has aged out of trick-or-treating but still wants a little sweetness in their life.
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