Whisky, Scotch, and Bourbon: What’s the Real Difference?

Let’s break it down without the snobbery.......

Whisky (or whiskey, depending on where you are) is the umbrella term. It refers to distilled spirits made from fermented grain mash and aged in wooden barrels. That’s it. If it’s made from grains like barley, corn, rye, or wheat—and aged—it’s whisky.

Every scotch is a whisky.
Every bourbon is a whisky.
But not every whisky is scotch or bourbon.

Think of whisky as the family name.

Scotch is whisky that’s made in Scotland—and that part is non-negotiable. If it’s not distilled and aged there, it’s not scotch, no matter how smoky or expensive it is.

A few defining traits:

- Usually made from malted barley
- Aged for at least three years
- Often (but not always) has that signature smoky or peaty character
- Typically aged in used barrels, which keeps flavors more restrained and layered

Scotch tends to be complex, dry, and nuanced—great for slow sipping and deep conversations.

Bourbon is a distinctly American style of whisky, with most of it made in Kentucky (though it doesn’t have to be).

To legally be bourbon, it must:

• Be made from a mash that’s at least 51% corn

• Be aged in new, charred oak barrels

• Be distilled and aged in the U.S.

That fresh charred oak gives bourbon its signature flavors: vanilla, caramel, toffee, and spice. It’s generally sweeter and fuller than scotch, making it approachable whether you drink it neat, on ice, or in a cocktail.

That’s the wrong question.

Scotch is about tradition, terroir, and subtlety.
Bourbon is about boldness, sweetness, and warmth.
Whisky is the big beautiful category that holds them both—and dozens more.

The best one is the one you enjoy drinking.

And if you’d rather not choose just one? That’s the fun part.

If reading about it isn’t enough (and let’s be honest—it never is), the best way to understand the difference is to taste them side by side. At Frost Doylestown, you can sample outstanding examples of whisky, scotch, and bourbon all in one place—so you can decide for yourself which style speaks to you.

Because when it comes to great spirits, the best education is in the glass. 🥃