Huffington Magazine Issue 55-56 | Page 15

Enter DATA HUFFINGTON 06.30-07.07.13 Due to rising popularity and a new fervor for American, local and small-batch products, some distilleries are experiencing a shortage of the spirit. INCREASE IN PRODUCTION VOLUME IN 2012 4% VODKA 5.2% BOURBON & TENN. WHISKEY IRISH WHISKEY 13% 4.7% CORDIALS 2.9% TEQUILA 1.5% RUM & GIN 8.2% Whiskey makes up 8.2 percent of the market. Vodka is nearly one third. SOURCES: DISTILLED SPIRITS COUNCIL OF THE UNITED STATES, BEAM INC., BUFFALO TRACE: SHUTTERSTOCK/JOCIC (WHISKEY BOTTLE); INFOGRAPHIC: JAN DIEHM SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? WHISKEY BOURBON Whiskey is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, which usually contains corn, rye, barley or wheat. Bourbon is distilled from a mash of grain that contains not less than 51 percent corn. ALL BOURBON IS WHISKEY, BUT NOT ALL WHISKEY IS BOURBON Whiskey can be aged in re-used barrels, but the law requires bourbon to be aged in NEW charred American white oak barrels. Water is the only thing that can be added to bourbon, and only to bring it down to proof. Other whiskey makers can add colors and flavors. POPULAR BOURBON & WHISKEY DISTILLERIES Distilleries that have announced possible shortages Jim Beam & Knob Creek Clermont, Ky. Maker’s Mark Loretto, Ky. Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg, Tenn. Buffalo Trace Frankfort, Ky. Woodford Reserve Versailles, Ky. George Dickel Tullahoma, Tenn.