What is the difference between bourbon and whiskey?

"All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon...Whisky is an alcoholic distillate from a fermented mash of grain produced at less than 190 proof in such a manner that the distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to whiskey, stored in oak containers (except that corn whisky need not be so stored), and bottled at not less than 80 proof, and also includes mixtures of such distillates for which no specific standards of identity are prescribed.

For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the law--by international agreement--stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. (Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.) The barrels for aging can be made of any kind of new oak, charred on the inside. Nowadays all distillers use American White Oak, because it is porous enough to help the bourbon age well, but not so porous that it will allow barrels to leak. It must be distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor or sweetness or alter color. The other grains used to make bourbon, though not stipulated by law, are malted barley and either rye or wheat. Some Kentucky bourbon makers claim that the same limestone spring water that makes thoroughbred horses' bones strong gives bourbon whiskey its distinctive flavor. Kind of like that "it's the water" thing with Olympia beer.

Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S., but all but a couple of brands are made in Kentucky. Only the state of Kentucky can produce bourbon with its name on the label. The name comes from Bourbon county in the central bluegrass region of Kentucky. This county was named in 1785 to honor the French royal family and was once the major transshipment site for shipping distilled spirits down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Barrels shipped from there were stamped with the county's name, which then became the name of this kind of whiskey. Interestingly, there are no distillers in Bourbon county, Kentucky right now. "

[source http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbourbon.html]

If a whiskey is made anywhere else other then Kentucky it is a whiskey. Only whiskey made in KY can be called bourbon. This is a law which all distillers recognize.

For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the law--by international agreement--stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. (Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.) The barrels for aging can be made of any kind of new oak, charred on the inside. Nowadays all distillers use American White Oak, because it is porous enough to help the bourbon age well, but not so porous that it will allow barrels to leak. It must be distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor or sweetness or alter color. The other grains used to make bourbon, though not stipulated by law, are malted barley and either rye or wheat. Some Kentucky bourbon makers claim that the same limestone spring water that makes thoroughbred horses' bones strong gives bourbon whiskey its distinctive flavor. Kind of like that "it's the water" thing with Olympia beer.

Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S., but all but a couple of brands are made in Kentucky. Only the state of Kentucky can produce bourbon with its name on the label. The name comes from Bourbon county in the central bluegrass region of Kentucky. This county was named in 1785 to honor the French royal family and was once the major transshipment site for shipping distilled spirits down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Barrels shipped from there were stamped with the county's name, which then became the name of this kind of whiskey. Interestingly, there are no distillers in Bourbon county, Kentucky right n

Whiskey is made in Canada, other parts of the US than Bourbon Country, Kentucky, and some other places. Scotch is "whisky", not "whiskey".
Sour Mash and Ryes are types of Bourbon Country production. Oh, and bourbon, of course.

I know for a fact Virginia Gentleman Bourbon is made in Virginia. So the first answer above seems to be the most accurate.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery is the oldest family-owned bourbon distillery in the United States. Founded in 1935 by Abram Smith Bowman and his sons, Smith and DeLong, the family enterprise began by producing bourbon on their farm at the end of Prohibition. Virginia Gentleman®, our hallmark bourbon, was first created as a "small-batch bourbon," a process which ensures meticulous control over the quality of each bottle.The distillery was originally located on Sunset Hills Farm, the Bowman family property in Fairfax County, Virginia, which is known today as Reston.

There is NO Bourbon made ANYWHERE but in Kentucky. If it is made outside of Kentucky. . . It is NOT Bourbon.

Bourbon can only be made in the state of Kentucky. If it is made outside the state of Kentucky then it is labeled whiskey.

Bourbon is made in Kentucky.

Bourbon IS a whiskey, but whiskey is not a bourbon.

WOW, all you can do is quote wikipedia? Nice way to come up with the same danm answer as everyone else. Just copy and paste. Did any of you read the article even or did you just plagiarize away? I would like a genuine explanation even if it is thought to be wrong.

Oh and by the way Bowman Bourbon is made in Fredericksburg, Virginia and right on the bottle it says STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY. I could find no law that says Bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. In fact I could not even find a single distillery in Bourbon County, KY. Even if there is a law that says "bourbon must be made in KY" it's probably a law from KY and would not apply in other states. Oh speaking of other states when they started making whiskey in present day Bourbon County it wasn't even Kentucky it was Virginia hahahaha. But none of you wiki whiskey experts would know that would you?

whiskey is a bourbon
bourbon is kentucky
just like kfc

Scented rocks

Bowman Bourbon is made in Fredericksburg, Virginia and right on the bottle it says STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY bourbon must be aged in charred oak barrels and must be aged for at least or more than 2 years
austin mobile mechanic

not all whiskey is bourbon, but all bourbon is whiskey. bourbon must be aged in charred oak barrels and must be aged for at least or more than 2 years.

There are many types of whiskeys. Irish whiskey, Scotch, and some other types.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard the only difference is one is made in Tennessee and the other is made in Kentucky. I doubt that's true though, it sounds dumb. But it could be.