If you have ever taken a look at a bottle of bourbon, you might be slightly confused with some of the terminology that you see on the bottle. Phrases like single barrel, barrel proof, bottled-in-bond, and straight bourbon might seem like some fancy marketing jargon, but there is actually some meaning behind some of the terms that can give you a better understanding of the bourbon inside the bottle.

Take Straight Bourbon for instance. This isn’t just a clever marketing ploy. It’s actually terminology dictated by law to describe a bourbon that hits certain standards.

What Does Straight Bourbon Mean?

By law, it has some very specific attributes that set that bourbon apart from other bourbons or whiskeys on the shelf.

If you see a bottle with this phrase on it, you know a few things immediately:

The word bourbon means that we are talking about a liquor that is over 51% corn based that is made in the United States (note I didn’t say just Kentucky).

We know that the spirit had to also be aged in new charred oak barrels. The use of new barrels is a key requirement for bourbon whiskey, as it gives the spirit its distinct flavor and aroma.

But what makes a bourbon whiskey “straight”? To be considered straight bourbon whiskey, the spirit must meet four additional requirements.

1 – It needs to be distilled at no more than 80% ABV or 160 proof from the still. Distillers have the ability to determine this level and control it during the distillation process.

2 – It needs to rest in those lovely new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. There isn’t a limit on the length, but it has to be AT LEAST 2 years.

3 – It needs to bottled at no less than 40% ABV or 80 proof.

4 – It cannot contain any added colors, flavors, or other spirits

As long as a bourbon hits those three criteria, it can legally be named straight bourbon on its label.

Why Does This Matter?

Essentially, straight bourbon is a more specific category of bourbon that has stricter aging and bottling requirements. While all straight bourbon is bourbon, not all bourbon is straight bourbon.

This matters for a few different reasons:

1 – If you see “straight bourbon” you know that you are getting a product that has aged at least 2 years. Sometimes you don’t see an age labeled on a bottle, so this naming system can give you a little bit of a clue on the age.

2 – You know you aren’t going to get a bourbon that has “something” else in it. It’s just like the name says – It’s straight bourbon.

3 – You have an idea about the ABV range for the bourbon. If you take a bourbon much higher than 160 proof before entering the barrel, you are going to lose some of the taste that comes from the corn, rye, barley, or wheat. It’s going to end up tasting more like rubbing alcohol than the bourbon we know and love. You also know that it isn’t going to be a watered down bourbon once you pour it to drink. It’s going to be at least 40% ABV and it’s going to have that standard bourbon flavor.

Conclusion

If you see the words “straight bourbon” on a bottle at the liquor store, you are seeing a standard of quality on the bottle. Much like some of the other terms you see and hear in the bourbon world, it has a special meaning that gives a set of parameters the bourbon hits. To be considered straight bourbon, the spirit must also be distilled at no more than 80% ABV, aged in new barrels for at least 2 years, and bottled at no less than 40% ABV, and have no additional colors, booze, or additives. Whether enjoyed on its own or in a cocktail, straight bourbon whiskey is a beloved American tradition that continues to capture the hearts and palates of whiskey lovers around the world.

Cheers!