Follow These Rules When Buying Bourbon

Reading the label is the best place to start when considering your next bourbon purchase. In addition to the brand name, you can often pick up on lots of helpful information.

Our whisky expert Chris Walster of The Cask Connoisseur recommends paying attention to the specific terms used and considering the stated

age of each bottle before buying.

Next up, examine a spirit's mash bill, which tells you which grains are used and the percentage of each. Bourbons with a higher corn percentage are typically sweeter.

As Walster says, "Being aware of various cask finishes, like rum, port, and many more will [help you select] the best bourbons for your individual palate."

Walster says, "Bourbon is produced in six different styles: Single barrel, Cask Strength, Wheated, High Rye, High Corn, and Small Batch."

According to Walster, knowing the six styles of bourbon "can help you determine what you are paying for either in uniqueness, flavor or potential quality."

"Bottled in bond" bourbon must be aged for a minimum of four years, which often indicates premium quality as well. Consider picking up a bottle with this label.