Bourbon - Grain Selection
and Mixture
(Mash Bill)
Each
distillery has its own recipe for the grain mixture. The law for a Kentucky
Straight Bourbon whiskey is a corn ratio of at least 51%. Usually the corn part
is
significantly
higher and lies between 60 and 80%.
Maker's Mark - Grain
Samples
The further
components of the
mash bill
are rye and malted barley. Both make up about 10 to 15%. Few distilleries add
wheat to their grain mixture too (e.g.: Bernheim
or Maker's Mark).
Wheat makes the
whiskey softer and suppler on the tongue. If wheat is added, the
fraction
is approximately 10%.
Four Roses - Grain Mills
The
different grain types are separately ground and stored temporarily. In former
times hammer mills were used, until it was found out that the grain was warmed
up too strongly and the taste suffered
from it. Today the grain is usually crushed, in order to open the grain
skin.
The
following grinding process leads to very fine flour.
Early Times - Grain Silos
Water -
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