Are Whiskey and Bourbon the Same? Breaking Down the Differences

At Root Out, we celebrate the wild world of whiskey in all its forms—but there’s one question we hear over and over: “Wait… isn’t bourbon just whiskey?”

It’s a fair ask. They look alike, pour alike, and live in the same amber-hued family. But much like cousins at a family reunion, whiskey and bourbon share the same roots—with personalities all their own.

The Family Tree of Whiskey

Think of whiskey as the big umbrella term. Any distilled spirit made from grain, aged in wood, and bottled with that signature amber glow can wear the “whiskey” label. Under that umbrella live scotch, rye, Irish whiskey, Canadian whisky—and, of course, bourbon.

So yes, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey can call itself bourbon.

The Bourbon Rulebook (Because There Is One)

For a whiskey to earn the name “bourbon,” it has to meet a few non-negotiables—laid out by U.S. law:

• Grain bill: At least 51% corn.
• Barrels: Only new, charred American oak.
• Distillation limit: No higher than 160 proof.
• Aging: Must enter the barrel under 125 proof.
• Additives: None. Ever.

That’s what gives bourbon its sweeter, rounder character—caramel, vanilla, and toasty oak notes that play beautifully with its higher corn content.

Whiskey: The Worldly One

Whiskey, on the other hand, plays by looser rules depending on where it’s born. Scottish distillers lean on malted barley and smoky peat. The Irish keep it smooth and triple-distilled. And Canadian whisky—like what inspires Root Out—is known for its balanced, approachable flavor and mellow finish.

That’s where our story lives: in that Canadian tradition, but with a rebellious Root Beer twist.

The Root Out Approach: Whiskey Reimagined

Root Out isn’t bourbon—it’s bigger than that box. We start with aged Canadian whisky, matured four years in charred American oak, then infuse it with natural root-beer botanicals, vanilla, and caramel for a nostalgic kick that’s anything but traditional.

It’s whiskey with heritage—but also with guts.

🧊 Quick Takeaways: Whiskey vs. Bourbon

-Whiskey = The broad category of grain spirits aged in wood.

-Bourbon = A specific type of whiskey made mostly from corn and aged in new charred oak.

-Flavor: Bourbon is sweeter; other whiskies can be smokier or spicier.

-Root Out: Aged Canadian whisky + natural root-beer flavor = a category of its own.

Raise Your Glass

At the end of the day, the real question isn’t what’s the difference—it’s what’s your preference. Bourbon may bring the sweetness, but Root Out brings the story.

Because in our world, rules are meant to be understood… and then tastefully broken.