Bourbon and Scotch are both types of whiskey, but they come from different places, are made with different grains, and age in different barrels. Bourbon is an American whiskey made mostly from corn and aged in new charred oak. Scotch is a Scottish whisky made from malted barley or grain and aged in used barrels.
You might have also noticed that bourbon is a “whiskey” and Scotch is a “whisky.” The difference in spelling just comes down to regional preference; at the end of the day, they’re both types of whiskey (or whisky).
What Makes Bourbon Bourbon
To legally be a bourbon, a whiskey needs to be:
- Made in the United States
- At least 51% corn in the grain bill
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels
There are plenty of misconceptions about bourbon. For starters, bourbon does not need to be produced in Kentucky to be called a bourbon. Also, any bourbon made outside the US or made with less than 51% corn might be called “bourbon-style,” but it isn’t technically a bourbon.
There’s no minimum age requirement to be classified as a bourbon, though it does need to age in a barrel for two years to be called a “straight bourbon.”
With bourbon, you can expect a sweet profile with caramel and vanilla notes. This is thanks to the corn in the grain bill and the freshly-charred wooden barrels. Whiskey tends to take on a lot of flavor from the barrel, and the unused oak transfers plenty into the bourbon.
What Makes Scotch Scotch
Scotch has its own set of rules. To legally be a Scotch, the whisky needs to be:
- Made in Scotland
- Made from malted barley or a blend of grains
- Aged for at least three years
Most Scotches are aged in used sherry or bourbon barrels. The barrel’s flavor expresses in the final Scotch product, which gives Scotch a wide range of flavors. If you’ve had Scotch, you might have noticed it was light and fruity, or peaty and smoky, or somewhere in between. The broader variety of barrels and grains used gives Scotch a ton of range.
It’s also pretty common for Scotches from a specific region to be more uniform with others from that region. For example, Islay is known for peat flavor while Speyside tends to be lighter.
Bourbon vs Scotch at a Glance
| Bourbon | Scotch | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States | Scotland |
| Primary grain | Corn (51%+) | Malted barley or mixed grain |
| Minimum age | None (2 years for “straight bourbon”) | 3 years |
| Barrel type | New, charred oak | Used barrels (often from bourbon or sherry) |
| Typical flavor profile | Sweeter, caramel, vanilla | Wide range, can be smoky/peaty or light and fruity |
Bourbon vs Scotch: Which Should You Choose?
Bourbon and Scotch are different enough from each other that you might prefer one style over the other. If you like sweet flavor and you’re newer to whiskey, bourbon can be an easy entry to enjoy. If you want more range or you’re looking for a specific flavor, Scotch has plenty to offer. Both styles can be exceptional, and it’s worth giving a few versions of both a try to see which you like more.
FAQ
No, bourbon and Scotch are distinct styles of whiskey. The two styles are made in different regions, use different grains, and have different barrel requirements.
Yes, bourbon can be produced anywhere in the United States, though Kentucky is the most well-known producer of bourbon.
In general, I find that bourbon is easier for beginners to enjoy, thanks to the sweet flavor profile. However, there are some Scotches, especially those aged in sherry casks, that I find to be very approachable, even for non-Scotch drinkers.
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