There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to whiskey. People toss around terms like bourbon whiskey, Scotch whisky, rye, and Irish whiskey—then nod like it all makes perfect sense. But if you’ve ever quietly wondered what actually separates bourbon from whiskey (or why your friend insists one is better than the other), you’re in the right place.
At Hush and Whisper Distilling Co., we’re not here to gatekeep. We’re here to break it down with flavor, facts, and just the right amount of Texas swagger. Let’s settle the bourbon vs. whiskey debate once and for all.
Bourbon and Whiskey: A Relationship Worth Understanding
Let’s clear this up: all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
Think of whiskey as the umbrella and bourbon as a specific type that lives under it. Like how all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. Or, for the Texans reading: all brisket is barbecue, but not all barbecue is brisket.
Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Depending on the type of grain, location, and aging process, it gets sorted into different categories. Bourbon whiskey is one of those categories, and it comes with some pretty strict rules.
What Makes Bourbon… Bourbon?
Want to know the real difference between bourbon and whiskey? It’s not just about rules—it’s about intention, ingredients, and aging. There are official federal regulations for what counts as bourbon. If it doesn’t meet all of these, it might still be whiskey, but it’s not bourbon:
- Must be made in the United States
- The mash bill must be made from at least 51% corn
- Must be aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof
- Entered into barrels at 125 proof or less
- Nothing added: no added flavors, colors, or additives
That rich, sweet flavor profile you associate with bourbon? Thank the high corn content and the caramelized goodness from those new barrels. Small-batch bourbon producers often add their own twist, but the foundation remains the same.
And yes, it’s true. Bourbon County, Kentucky is considered the heart of bourbon, but legally, bourbon whiskey can be made anywhere in the U.S.
American Whiskey: The Broader Family
American whiskey includes bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and other whiskeys made from varied mash bills and aging techniques. While bourbon has its rules, other types of whiskey made in America don’t have to follow those same guidelines. Some are aged in used barrels. Others blend other grains more liberally.
Popular U.S whiskey brands like Jim Beam (a major name in bourbon) have a long history of staying true to their roots while still adapting with the times. Whether it’s heritage distilleries or newer grain-to-glass operations like ours at Hush and Whisper, our whiskey is all about craft and character.
Scotch Whisky and Its Distinct Flavor Profile
Scotch whisky—spelled without the “e”—comes from Scotland and has its own style and regulations. Scotch must be made primarily from malted barley and aged for at least three years in oak casks. Some Scotch expressions (especially from Islay) are known for their smoky flavor, which comes from drying malted barley over peat fires.
Types of Scotch
- Single Malt: Made from malted barley at one distillery.
- Blended Scotch: A mix of single malts and grain whiskies.
- Peated Scotch: Known for its earthy, smoky flavor.
While the flavor profile of Scotch varies by region, it often leans into earthiness, subtle spice, and dry finishes. If you’ve ever sipped a scotch whiskey and felt like it told a story, that’s because it often does. It’s complex, layered, and steeped in tradition.
Irish Whiskey: Smooth, Easygoing, and Rich in History
Irish whiskey has a rich history and is known for being smooth, triple-distilled, and approachable. Made primarily from malted and unmalted barley, it’s typically aged in wooden casks (often ex-bourbon or sherry barrels) for at least three years.
It offers a light and slightly sweet flavor, making it ideal for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails. It’s an easy entry point for people just starting their whiskey journey, and its balance makes it versatile across a variety of palates.
Canadian Whisky: A Flexible, Often Overlooked Contender
Yes, it’s “whisky” without the “e” up north. Canadian whisky (also called Canadian whiskey in the U.S.) has fewer restrictions, which makes for a wide range of expressions. Most Canadian whisky is smooth, light-bodied, and easy-drinking. Sometimes it’s blended, sometimes flavored.
Brands like Crown Royal are household names, but there’s also a growing wave of craft distilleries pushing the category forward. Whether it’s aged rye-forward blends or newer expressions using local grains, Canadian whisky deserves a spot in your glass.
What’s Up with Our Whiskey?
At Hush and Whisper, we make a white whiskey from a bourbon-style mash bill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. Unlike traditional bourbons that take on a deep amber hue from years in oak, our whiskey stays clear—like a white spirit—thanks to a shorter aging period. But don’t let the color fool you. It still picks up complexity from those bourbon barrels while keeping a fresh, grain-forward character.
We’re also housed in the iconic Varisco Building—the tallest in Bryan, Texas. Once a hotspot for rooftop poker nights and underground legends, it now wraps its history around every bottle we distill. There’s even a 4,000-pound safe in our tasting room—a nod to the building’s colorful past.
We distill on a custom three-story copper still, visible through a cutout in the tasting room floor. Because when we say “grain-to-glass,” we mean it. We source our corn from Field to Family, a fifth-generation farm in College Station, and oversee every part of production ourselves. No sourcing. No shortcuts. Just real whiskey.
Flavor Profiles: What You’re Actually Tasting
When people talk about whiskey or bourbon being “smoother,” “spicier,” or “more complex,” they’re really talking about the flavor profile. Here’s your cheat sheet:
Bourbon Whiskey
Sweet, full-bodied, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and baking spice.
Rye Whiskey
Spicy, bold, and dry with a peppery finish.
Scotch Whisky
Often smoky, peaty, and earthy (especially from Islay), with a long finish.
Irish Whiskey
Light, smooth, and mildly sweet.
Canadian Whisky
Light, blended, sometimes flavored with a dash of rye spice.
Hush & Whisper White Whiskey
Grain-forward, clean, slightly oaky, and unfiltered in all the best ways. It may look like vodka, but it drinks with boldness and depth—just without the caramel tint.
Your personal preference matters more than anything. The more you know about what you’re drinking, the more you’ll enjoy every sip.
Bourbon vs. Whiskey in Cocktails: Does It Matter?
Yes and no. Bourbon’s sweetness pairs beautifully with citrus-forward mixers and classics like the Old Fashioned or a Whiskey Sour. Try it with simple syrup, bitters, and orange peel for a full-flavored sip.
Our Hush and Whisper whiskey? It’s a flexible, fresh substitute in classics where you want the grain to shine. And if you’re making a highball or a cocktail with ginger ale, it’s an easy upgrade.
Scotch, on the other hand, is often sipped neat, but works in drinks like the Penicillin or Blood and Sand. Irish whiskey is great in a Whiskey Smash, Irish Mule, or simply with soda and a lemon twist.
Quick Whiskey Cheat Sheet
- Bourbon Whiskey: Must be at least 51% corn, made in the U.S., aged in new charred oak barrels
- Scotch Whisky: Made in Scotland, often peated, aged at least three years
- Irish Whiskey: Smooth, triple-distilled, aged at least three years
- Canadian Whisky: Often blended, light-bodied, flexible regulations
- American Whiskey: Broad category, can include blends, bourbon, and more
- White Whiskey: Unaged or minimally aged, clear in color, grain-forward
The Truth in the Tumbler: Because the Barrel Never Lies
Whether you prefer the smoky taste of scotch whiskey, the sweetness of bourbon whiskey, or the clean finish of our white whiskey, the key difference isn’t the name on the bottle. It’s how it’s made.
At Hush and Whisper, we believe in clarity, quality, and making spirits with intention. Bourbon and whiskey might have other rules, but they’re all part of the same great story: one distillery at a time, one barrel at a time, one sip at a time.
Visit our distillery in Bryan, Texas, to tour our grain-to-glass operation, or contact our team to find a bottle near you.
Let’s raise a glass to good whiskey, honest craft, and the kind of flavor profile that makes you come back for another pour.
