Build your own
Build your own
For her
For celebrations
Liquor Library
Scotch or Bourbon? The Difference Between the Two Whiskies
The difference between Scotch and bourbon: what each is made from, how it is aged and which one to buy first, with a bottle of each.
Scotch is made in Scotland mostly from malted barley, and bourbon is made in the United States from at least 51% corn. Bourbon is aged in new charred oak, which makes it sweeter, while Scotch can taste of anything from honey to smoke.
What is the difference between Scotch and bourbon?
Scotch
- Made in
- Scotland
- Made from
- Malted barley, often blended with grain
- Aged in
- Used oak casks, at least 3 years
- Tastes like
- Dried fruit, honey, sometimes smoke
Bourbon
- Made in
- The United States, mostly Kentucky
- Made from
- At least 51% corn
- Aged in
- New charred oak barrels
- Tastes like
- Vanilla, caramel, sweet spice
Which should you buy first?
Start with how you will drink it.
For mixing with cola or in an old fashioned, bourbon is the easy pick: its sweetness carries through the mixer.
For sipping with a splash of water, try a blended Scotch first. If you like it, explore single malts and the smoky ones from Islay.
A Scotch to start
Smooth, a little smoky, very easy to like.
A blend of whiskies aged at least 12 years, with sweet vanilla, ripe fruit and soft smoke.
- Style
- Blended Scotch
- Try it with
- A splash of water
- Per nip
- About $2.61
A bourbon to start
Sweet, easy and good neat or mixed.
Rich caramel, vanilla and oak from the new charred barrels. Smooth and balanced.
- Style
- Kentucky bourbon
- Try it with
- Ice, or ginger ale
- Per nip
- About $2.39
The Whisky Den
Snacks for a whisky drinker, with the bottle you choose.
Choose a Scotch or a bourbon and we add the snacks. It is wrapped, boxed and delivered NZ wide.
- What is in it
- Salty, smoky and sweet snacks
- Bottle
- The one you choose
Quick answers
Is bourbon a whisky?
Yes. Bourbon is an American whisky made mostly from corn and aged in new charred oak.
Which is sweeter, Scotch or bourbon?
Bourbon, because of the corn and the new oak barrels.
Is all Scotch smoky?
No. Smoke comes from peat, used mostly on Islay. Many Scotches have none.
Up next
All guidesBest NZ Red Wine Under $25: Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot
The best NZ red wines under $25: a Central Otago Pinot Noir, a Hawke's Bay Syrah and a soft Merlot, and what to eat with each.
Read next
