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If you are wondering about the best bourbon brands in India, then you have arrived at the right place! But before we delve into these good bourbon brands, let’s understand what bourbon whisky is!
Bourbon whisky - A spirited journey through time
Bourbon whisky has a rich and eventful past. Although the House of Bourbon in France and Bourbon County in the United States are vying for the honour of naming this spirit, whisky has been around for more than two centuries. When farmers from Europe arrived in the Americas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, they carried their expertise in distillation with them.
And so, the people, began to distil whisky using the local produce, mostly maize. American bourbon whisky is produced by distilling a mash that mostly consists of maize. Even though it's widely consumed, many people still don't understand the spirit! Given its close association with the state, you might assume that only the 'Bluegrass State' produces bourbon. Plus, 95% of the world's supply originates in Kentucky, says the Kentucky Distillers' Association. However, new bourbon distilleries are springing up all across the United States on a regular basis, so the truth is that it may be made anyplace in America.
Bourbon whisky must be a "distinctive product of the United States" according to federal criteria that control its identification; therefore, the term "bourbon" cannot be used to represent whisky or distilled spirits derived from whisky that is not produced in the United States.
Dominant notes of bourbon - what should your ideal sip taste like?
Caramel, vanilla, and oak flavours will envelop your palate as you savour a glass of bourbon, which is mostly made from maize. Even the most unassuming drinker may find solace in bourbon, and the spirit has become so fetishised that a single bottle can fetch hundreds of dollars.
And now for the best bourbon whisky brands in India…
Buffalo Trace
This bourbon whisky consistently delivers a top-notch dram. Buffalo Trace, with its toffee, caramel, cinnamon, oak, and lengthy spicy aftertaste, stands out among other bourbons. We guarantee you'll love it either straight up or with a little ice since it's that smooth.
Wild Turkey
This American bourbon whisky has a full-bodied scent that includes toasted oak, butterscotch, a hint of zesty citrus, and melting vanilla ice cream. It is made in Kentucky.
Elijah Craig
Bourbon whisky aficionados love this spirit for its robust body, rich taste, and silky smoothness. Some say that ageing spirits in barrels made of charred wood was Elijah Craig's idea, although many others disagree.
Jim Beam
Bourbon whisky connoisseurs in India continue to rank Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the company's flagship product, as their favourite bourbon. Jim Beam is generally thought of as the most popular bourbon brand in India. The whisky is diluted at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and 80 proof, yet it retains its rich vanilla, caramel, and oak aromas and flavours, as well as a sweet, toasty, and slightly smoky aftertaste.
Jim Beam Black
This premium extra-aged black bourbon whisky from Jim Beam is a fan favourite; it has a slightly higher alcohol percentage by volume (43%), and it tastes deliciously rich with overtones of toasty oak and velvety caramel. Additionally, the cinnamon and vanilla aromas are rather pleasant.
Maker's Mark
A square bottle with a red wax seal identifies Maker's Mark, so you've probably seen it even if you're not familiar with the term. This high-quality bourbon whisky has a pleasant aroma and flavour profile that includes nutty undertones, caramel, and robust sweet vanilla.
Woodford Reserve
This is one of the most well-known bourbons, and fortunately, one of the few decent ones available in India. Toffee, cinnamon, maple syrup, and smoke are among the flavours that coat the tongue when you take a sip of this premium bourbon whisky.
Weller's
This 12-year-old wheat whisky has matured for a far longer period than the average wheat bourbon, which gives it a rich bronze colour, lanolin, almond, creamed corn, and toasted vanilla scents, as well as a heated, layered, fairly sweet mid-palate flavour. Long, oaky, and very silky, that is the finish.
Evan Williams
It is the second best-selling bourbon whisky in the United States, and it comes from the first commercial distillery in Kentucky. The price of this finely made whisky is incredibly affordable. It tastes like caramel, brown sugar, and pepper.