A Traditional Foundation
For anyone curious about how bourbon is made, the process is rooted in time-honored rules that give the spirit its identity. By law, bourbon must contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill, be distilled in the United States, and aged in new charred oak barrels. Beyond those requirements, distillers have freedom to choose the secondary grains and shape the final profile through fermentation, distillation, and barrel treatment.
Most traditional bourbons rely on corn for sweetness, rye for spice, and barley for structure. This classic mash bill creates a well-known flavor combination of caramel, vanilla, oak, and heat. While this method delivers a dependable spirit, it leaves room for innovation.
What Grain Is Bourbon Made From?
When people ask what grain is bourbon made from, the short answer is corn, rye or wheat, and malted barley. The longer answer lies in how distillers balance those grains. Each ingredient plays a role: corn sets the stage with sweetness, rye brings peppery intensity, wheat offers a softer, rounder character, and barley supports fermentation.
Understanding this balance helps explain why some bourbons taste bold and spicy while others lean smooth and mellow.
Forbidden’s Different Path
At Forbidden, we respect the traditional framework of how bourbon is made—but we take it further. Instead of relying on commodity grains chosen for efficiency, we select 100% food-grade white corn, white wheat, and barley. Each grain is sourced for its flavor contribution, not just its yield.
• White corn provides clarity and layered sweetness.
• White wheat creates a velvety, approachable texture.
• Barley lends structure and subtle complexity.
You can explore this distinctive grain bill in our Small Batch Select, a beautifully balanced expression, or in our Single Barrel Bourbon, which highlights the unique qualities of individual casks.
Crafting Flavor Through Detail
Every step of production is shaped by intentionality. Fermentation is guided to highlight grain character. Distillation is designed to preserve nuance rather than strip it away. And barrels are custom charred to draw out flavors that complement our chosen grains.
The result is a bourbon that reflects both tradition and artistry: smooth, expressive, and layered with notes that unfold from first sip to finish.
More Than a Recipe
Too often, the definitions of bourbon stop at the legal checklist. But to us, the real question isn’t just what grain is bourbon made from—it’s how each grain is treated, how it interacts with others, and how the entire process can be refined.
At Forbidden, how bourbon is made is more than a formula; it’s a philosophy. We craft bourbon with respect for history, but with the creativity and precision needed to push flavor forward.
