The Ideal Age for Bourbon, According to 9 of America's Top Whiskey Pros

VinePair

Factuality

Ownership

The Ideal Age for Bourbon, According to 9 of America's Top Whiskey Pros

“How old must bourbon be?” It’s one of whiskey’s most famous trick questions. The answer is a simple one: not very long at all. As soon as the liquid touches new charred oak, it can technically be called bourbon, even if the “aging” period is no more than a few seconds. But ask how old should bourbon be, and the answer becomes infinitely more complicated. Variables like mash bill, grain variety, yeast strains, fermentation time, still type, barr…