By Contributor Emily Price
Carafe of whisky and glass of whisky on old wooden cask at the dark background.
This past weekend, I received an email from a reader about my article explaining the difference between bourbon and whiskey. He wrote:
鈥淵ou guys stated that one requirement for it to be considered bourbon is that it must be made in the US. That is wrong. It must be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon. The distinction is in the natural limestone filtered water that is used in production. We love our bourbon here and take pride in our largest export. We do not recognize any bourbon made outside of the state as bourbon.鈥
I love getting emails like this because they show just how deeply people care about bourbon. And it鈥檚 true鈥擪entucky has shaped what we think of as bourbon today. But the legal definition is a little broader: bourbon can actually be made anywhere in the United States. That doesn鈥檛 take away from Kentucky鈥檚 importance or its limestone-filtered water, which definitely adds character to many beloved bottles. It just means other states can make bourbon, too.
Over the years, I鈥檝e shared pours of non-Kentucky bourbons with some of the biggest names in Kentucky whiskey, and there鈥檚 often an appreciation for what distillers in other regions are creating. In fact, a good bit of the bourbon you think of as Kentucky-made is distilled in Indiana at MGP before being bottled under different brand labels (which is a whole different debate).
So, if you鈥檙e looking to explore what bourbon tastes like outside the Bluegrass State, here are ten bottles from ten different states proving that while Kentucky remains bourbon鈥檚 heart and soul, great bourbon can be made across the country.
Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon
Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon
Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon (New York)
From Tuthilltown Spirits in the Hudson Valley, this bourbon offers an approachable nose of vanilla bean, caramel corn, and light cinnamon. On the palate, it鈥檚 youthful but pleasant, with toffee sweetness, a bit of cracked pepper, and a dry oak finish. Think of it as a bright introduction to non-Kentucky craft bourbon.
Breckenridge PX Cask Finish Bourbon
Breckenridge Bourbon
Breckenridge Bourbon (Colorado)
Made high in the Rockies, Breckenridge Bourbon benefits from snowmelt water that鈥檚 naturally rich in minerals. It鈥檚 a blend of high-rye bourbons with notes of butterscotch, candied orange peel, and baking spice on the nose, leading into a palate of caramel apple, toasted oak, and rye-driven peppery spice.
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon (Nevada)
From a true grain-to-glass distillery near Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon is made entirely with grains grown on their family farm. The nose is inviting with caramel corn, toasted nuts, and sweet cinnamon roll aromas. On the palate, you鈥檒l find rich toffee, hints of clove and cocoa powder, and a slightly earthy, grain-forward finish that reflects its farm-grown roots.
Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon
Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon (Texas)
Balcones takes its bourbon seriously, using blue corn to create a rich, full-bodied whiskey. Expect big roasted corn and dark chocolate aromas, with a palate that鈥檚 viscous and nutty, offering notes of burnt sugar, espresso, and a hint of smoked oak. It鈥檚 bourbon with swagger.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon
Smooth Ambler
Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon (West Virginia)
While Smooth Ambler sources some whiskey, their Old Scout line includes blends finished and bottled in West Virginia. The bourbon has a classic caramel and vanilla nose, accented by leather and tobacco. On the palate, it鈥檚 warming and spicy with cinnamon stick, toasted oak, and a slightly herbal rye kick.
Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon
Wyoming Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon (Wyoming)
Distilled in Kirby, Wyoming, this straight bourbon is made with regional grains and aged in the dry mountain air. The nose carries honey, toffee, and a touch of mint. Sip it and you鈥檒l find flavors of vanilla cream, brown sugar, and gentle clove spice, finishing smooth and slightly herbal.
FEW Bottled In Bond Bourbon
FEW Bourbon (Illinois)
From Evanston, Illinois鈥攐nce a center of Prohibition activism鈥擣EW鈥檚 bourbon is a lively pour. The nose offers clove, vanilla frosting, and malted milk balls, while the palate delivers rich caramel, cocoa powder, and a rye-heavy finish of black pepper and dried cherry.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon
Redwood Empire
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon (California)
Produced in Sonoma County with a blend of bourbons aged 4-12 years, Pipe Dream has aromas of caramel corn, toasted pecans, and sweet maple syrup. On the palate, it鈥檚 velvety with notes of vanilla custard, butterscotch, and a gentle wood tannin, evoking the serene California forests it鈥檚 named for.
New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon
New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Ohio)
From Newport, Kentucky鈥檚 northern neighbor across the river, New Riff is technically an Ohio bourbon. Their Bottled in Bond expression offers a classic high-rye profile with bright orange zest and cinnamon on the nose, followed by caramel, clove, and black pepper spice on a well-structured palate.
Belle Meade Bourbon
Belle Meade
Belle Meade Bourbon (Tennessee)
Produced by Nelson鈥檚 Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Belle Meade Bourbon is a high-rye bourbon that offers a rich and spicy profile. On the nose, you鈥檒l find caramel, baked apple, and a hint of leather. The palate delivers brown sugar, cinnamon spice, and toasted oak with a slightly peppery finish, showcasing Tennessee鈥檚 take on a bourbon that stands apart from its famous neighbor, Tennessee whiskey.
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