How to Read a Bourbon Label

There are many dates on the calendar that are celebrated with drink. The Lounge's favorite, as you know, is Christmas. But for most people, New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick's Day are the big ones, probably followed closely by the ever-growing-in-popularity Cinco de Mayo and Blackout Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve for Wisconsinite Lounge Lizards who don't know that the Northeast drinks itself stupid on this night). One date that might fly under the radar though is Kentucky Derby Day (which sometimes, like most recently in 2018, falls on Cinco de Mayo). With possibly the exception of Cinco de Mayo, most of these 'drinking holidays' don't have a specific liquor in mind, but, for Derby Day, only bourbon will do. So, with only a couple of days remaining, and a whole shelf of bourbon whiskeys staring you in the face at your local liquor joint, how do you know which one is for you? Well, let me be your guide on what is and what is not important on a bourbon whiskey label.

Age Statement- one of the most important elements of the bottle. The age statement tells you how long the bourbon distillate was in its barrel. One of the mistakes novice drinkers make is that they think that whiskey ages in the bottle like wine. Sorry, nope! Bourbon only 'ages' in its barrel. That's where it picks up the characteristic flavors of newly-charred virgin American oak- you know, the sweet ones you love in the whiskey- like toffee, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate. Now the age statement cannot alone tell you everything about the whiskey's flavor, but you can bet most bourbon that as aged four or more years are going to be more complex and sweeter than their younger moonshine-y counterparts. If the bourbon is a blend, the age statement denotes the youngest whiskey in the mix- some can be older, but none can be younger.

Straight- the term 'straight' matters. If a bourbon is straight, it needs to be aged for at least two years and nothing can be added to the whiskey except water to reach the desired proof. What it means in practice is that you don't have any artificial color or favors added to the bourbon.

Bonded or Bottled in Bond- Like 'straight,' there is a legal requirement for a bourbon to be bottled in bond. This bourbon must be made by one distiller at one distillery in one distillation season. It needs to be aged for a minimum four years and must be bottled at 50 percent alcohol or 100-proof.

Proof- most Lounge Lizards know that the proof of a bourbon is a measure of the amount of alcohol in the whiskey. Proof is double the percentage of alcohol by volume. A typical bourbon is bottled at 80 proof or 40% alcohol.

Barrel Strength or Barrel Proof- Legally, the bourbon that is poured into a bottle cannot be 2 proof less than it was when it was aging in its barrel. That makes this whiskey strong, oftentimes between 104-138 proof. Good for cocktails and spring water; too hot for most palates neat.

Distilled and Bottled By- The only phrase that denotes that the bourbon was distilled and produced by the distillery on the label and ONLY that distillery. If it is labelled with 'Selected by' or 'Bottled by' or 'Produced by' or any other such vague statement, you have no idea where you bourbon has been sourced from. The beverage mass producer Diageo is infamous for having secret sources for their Bulleit bourbon (and other liquors under their label), which has drawn the ire of many drinkers nationwide, including the boys that make Bittercube, who turned one whiskey tasting that the Lounge Lizards attended into a huge Diageo hatefest.

Single Barrel- This is a bourbon that has been aged in one and only one barrel. It has not been blended with other whiskeys to make a more uniform flavor.

Small Batch- This is bourbon from a selection of barrels that the distiller has deemed superior. There is no legal limit on how small a 'small batch' has to be. So it's basically a gimmick for you to pay more.

Limited Edition- Like 'small batch,' an expression of a particular bourbon that is limited at the distiller/producer's whim. Doesn't mean it's good or bad, just that they are claiming that they will only produce it for a limited amount of time.

Handcrafted- Meaningless. All bourbon is handcrafted by someone.

Family Reserve or Special Reserve- Fancy-sounding, but as meaningless as 'handcrafted.'

There you have it, so take this guide into the store with you on your phone and buy some of the best bourbon America has to offer. Then go to our mint julep post from the past and pour yourself one for Derby Day. Cheers!