Are sour mash and bourbon whiskeys the same?

Sour mash and bourbon whiskeys are both American whiskeys, but they are not the same. Bourbon whiskey is a specific type of American whiskey that must be made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. Sour mash whiskey, on the other hand, is a general term that refers to any American whiskey that is made using a sour mash fermentation process.

The sour mash fermentation process involves using a portion of the leftover mash from a previous distillation to inoculate the new mash. This gives the whiskey a slightly sour flavor, which is why it is called "sour mash." Bourbon whiskey can be made using the sour mash fermentation process, but it is not required.

In addition to the different fermentation processes, sour mash and bourbon whiskeys also differ in terms of their aging requirements. Bourbon whiskey must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred oak barrels. Sour mash whiskey, on the other hand, does not have any specific aging requirements.

Overall, sour mash and bourbon whiskeys are two distinct types of American whiskey. Bourbon whiskey is a specific type of sour mash whiskey that must be made from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. Sour mash whiskey is a general term that refers to any American whiskey that is made using a sour mash fermentation process.