Bourbon Mash Comparisons

Most bourbon whiskies use three grains: corn, rye, barley. The corn percentage must be 51% or greater to be classified as bourbon. When comparing the mash compositions, there are a few outliers. Makers Mark uses wheat in place of rye. Thus, if you enjoy Maker’s you may prefer a wheated bourbon. The whiskey with a rye content above 15% could be considered a high rye bourbon, which sometimes adds a spicier flavor. If you enjoy Bulleit and Four Roses, the higher rye is likely pleasing to the palate. The popular Tennessee whiskies, George Dickel and Jack Daniels, are high corn mash bill. If this is your drink of preference, you probably like the sweet notes of corn and might like others with a high corn concentration like Evan Williams and Elijah Craig.

Although particular labels of a name brand might vary in their composition, this is a mash listing of some of the more popular bourbons:

Higher Corn Bourbons

George Dickel: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Barley

Jack Daniels: 80% Corn, 8% Rye,12% Barley

Michter’s: 79% Corn, 11% Rye, 10% Barley

Evan Williams: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley

Elijah Craig: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley

Bakers: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Barley

Basil Hayden: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Barley

Buffalo Trace: 75% Corn, 10% Rye, 15% Barley

BT Eagle Rare: 75% Corn, 10% Rye, 15% Barley

Jim Beam: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley

Knob Creek: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley

Makers Mark: 70% Corn 16% Wheat, 14% Barley

Higher Rye Bourbons

Redemption: 60% Corn, 38% Rye, 2% Barley

Four Roses Single Barrel: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Barley

Bulleit: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Barley

Old Grandad Bottled in Bond: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Barley

Barton 1792: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Barley

Old Forester: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley

Woodford Reserve: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley