How to Drink Bourbon: The Complete Guide
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Learning how to drink bourbon can feel a little intimidating if you’re more familiar with Scotch or Irish whisky. There’s also a lot of talk about mash bills, barrel char, proof levels, not to mention tasting notes that sometimes sound like dessert menus.
The truth? Bourbon is America’s super-friendly native spirit. It’s versatile too ― smooth, sweet-leaning, and warming. You can drink it neat or on the rocks, with a mixer or in classic cocktails when you’re with the crew. The more you know about how it’s made and how to taste it, the more confident you’ll feel enjoying it at home or when you spot it behind the bar. Let’s get into it, shall we?
What is bourbon?
If you’ve ever wondered where bourbon sits in the bourbon vs whisky conversation, here’s the quick breakdown. If whisky is the family, bourbon is the Kentucky-born cousin that got famous stateside. To be legally called bourbon, the spirit must:
- Be made in the United States
- Have a mash bill of at least 51% corn
- Be aged in new charred oak barrels
- Be bottled at 40% ABV or higher
- Contain zero additives
All this adds up to bourbon’s signature flavour: caramel sweetness from the corn, vanilla from the charred oak, plus hints of nuts, fruit, or spice depending on the recipe.
While people associate bourbon strongly with Kentucky, it can be produced anywhere in the US. That said, Kentucky brands do stand tall, and Wild Turkey Bourbon is a great example of a classic Kentucky style that balances sweetness and spice beautifully. It’s a great bourbon for beginners because it works neat or stirred into cocktails.
Compared to Scotch, which is often smoky with malted barley notes, bourbon leans sweeter and fuller in flavour. And while Irish whiskey tends to be lighter and triple distilled, bourbon brings more warmth and body to the glass. That’s what makes it such a crowd-pleaser for anyone exploring something new in the whisky world.
Also see: Scotch vs Bourbon: A Complete Guide
How to taste bourbon like an expert
You don’t need a fedora, cigar, or dusty bookshelf to appreciate bourbon properly. You just need curiosity and a glass. Here’s how to taste bourbon in four easy steps (consider this your go-to bourbon drinking guide):
- Look. Hold the glass up and check out the colour. Deep amber usually means longer ageing and more oak influence. You can also tilt the glass and watch how slowly the whisky slides back down — the ‘legs’ can hint at texture or richness.
- Smell. Give your glass a slow swirl and take a gentle sniff. You might pick up vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, cinnamon, honey, or baking spices. Just breathe it in and see what jumps out.
- Sip. Take a small sip, let it coat your mouth, and wait for the flavour to unfold. It usually starts sweet, then turns spicy with subtle smoke or nuttiness hanging out in the background.
- Finish. Notice how long the flavour lingers. A ‘long finish’ keeps sending waves of warm goodness down your chest. A shorter finish keeps things light and breezy.
If you’re new to the whole deal, feel free to add a few drops of water. It’s like unlocking a secret level, helping aromas bloom and flavours open up. A tulip glass or Glencairn helps concentrate those aromas, too. Big win for small effort.
Learn more: Rye vs Bourbon Explained
Different ways to drink bourbon
Here’s where you get to choose your adventure. Bourbon is flexible, and your style might change with your mood. But these are the main approaches and when they shine, along with some practical bourbon drinking tips:
Drinking bourbon neat. This is pure bourbon, at room temperature, straight from bottle to glass. Ideal for catching every signal the spirit sends, from mellow vanilla to bold spice, it suits anyone who enjoys slowing down and tuning into the details instead of rushing the moment.
Bourbon on the rocks. Add a cube or two when you want it cooler or slightly softened, letting the ice take the edge off without hiding the flavour. It’s a great fit for people who love bourbon’s personality but prefer a smoother first impression.
With a splash of water. If neat feels like too much heat, a little water relaxes the proof and brings hidden aromas and tasty layers forward. Go this route if you’re curious about flavour exploration and want your bourbon to show off more of its secrets.
In cocktails. Perfect for beginners or for nights when you want low effort and high payoff, with bourbon blending beautifully with citrus, bitters, honey, ginger, and more. This option is for the social drinkers, the flavour-seekers, and anyone who wants bourbon to feel playful and fun without demanding total focus.
Good news! There’s no wrong way …
Seriously. Don’t let whisky snobs tell you the ‘correct’ way to drink bourbon. You call the shots. If you want it with ginger ale, go for it. If you want to sip it alongside some stellar pizza, iconic. This spirit was literally created for good times.
In short, when it comes to bourbon etiquette, the big flex is to feel proud of your choices. If you like it, that’s the right pick. Bourbon doesn’t judge, bestie.
Get crafty: Smoked Bourbon Cocktails for Beginners and Pros
Classic bourbon cocktails to try
One of the coolest ways to explore bourbon cocktails is to try the legendary clinkers that helped bourbon take to the throne in the drinks world. Each of these classics brings a different mood and tasting them side by side lets you experience how bourbon shifts and shines depending on the company it keeps.
1. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned ushers bourbon into the spotlight, where its warm vanilla, caramel, and barrel-spice notes step forward with confidence. A touch of sugar smooths the edges while bitters add a subtle herbal twist that keeps things interesting. It’s perfect for slow evenings when you want to appreciate every part of the bourbon’s character and feel like the star of your own movie. Also see the Añejo Old Fashioned if you’re feeling inventive!
Find your fav: Types of Old Fashioned Cocktails: Recipes & Variations
2. Whisky Sour
This drink showcases bourbon’s flirty side, with bright citrus playing against the spirit’s natural sweetness. Lemon brings a lively zing that wakes up the flavours, while a little sweetness keeps things balanced and approachable. It’s basically sunshine in a glass, ready for fun evenings, big laughs, and singing along to your favourite playlist.
Cheers, dears! Intriguing Variations on the Classic Whisky Sour
3. Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is a cool, breezy Southern classic, where fresh mint lifts the deeper notes of bourbon into something light and celebratory. Crushed ice chills the sip so it glides in smooth and calm. The mint aroma hits first, then the bourbon rolls through with soft caramel sweetness and gentle spice. It’s the kind of drink made for patio moments, wide-brim hats, and long summer afternoons with your best people.
4. Manhattan
A Manhattan leans into the polished side of bourbon, with rich sweetness from the vermouth wrapping around its oak and caramel tones. It starts luxurious, almost velvety, with cherry and spice peeking out as you sip. The finish is confident, warming, and a little mysterious, like a secret you’re still thinking about when the glass is empty. This one’s for your dress-up nights but still fits if you’re just turning down the lights at home and vibing.
5. Hot Toddy
The Hot Toddy is the comfort drink your cosy evenings have been waiting for. Warm spices swirl with honeyed bourbon, making every sip feel like a hug from the inside out. The heat unlocks deeper aromas that hit just right when the weather turns chilly. It’s ideal for fireside hangs, winter movie marathons, or anytime you want something soothing to take the edge off the day.
How to choose the right bourbon
When you’re staring at a wall of bottles, here’s how to find your perfect match without overthinking it.
- Smooth & sweet: Look for wheated bourbons. They taste softer, rounder, and dessert-like.
- Spicy & bold: High-rye bourbons bring more spice and lift.
- Rich & complex: Single barrel or small batch bourbons give you deeper layers to explore.
INSIDER TIP: Another thing about ‘proof’ — higher doesn’t always mean better. It just means more concentrated flavour and a little more heat. Try a few different strengths and see what feels right. A bourbon that’s perfect for sipping but just as good for mixing? Wild Turkey (opens in new window)’s all about balance, versatility, and effortless approachability.
In the end, learning how to drink bourbon is about having fun and finding what tastes like a win in your glass. Ready to explore some more? Browse our wide array of bourbon cocktails (opens in new window), stock up on the Wild Turkey website, or on Amazon (opens in new window), and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the mix with the latest home-bar inspo and whisky wisdom.
