This past weekend, I received an email from a reader about my article explaining the difference between bourbon and whiskey. He wrote:
“You guys stated that one requirement for it to be considered bourbon is that it must be made in the US. That is wrong. It must be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon. The distinction is in the natural limestone filtered water that is used in production. We love our bourbon here and take pride in our largest export. We do not recognize any bourbon made outside of the state as bourbon.”
I love getting emails like this because they show just how deeply people care about bourbon. And it’s true—Kentucky has shaped what we think of as bourbon today. But the legal definition is a little broader: bourbon can actually be made anywhere in the United States. That doesn’t take away from Kentucky’s importance or its limestone-filtered water, which definitely adds character to many beloved bottles. It just means other states can make bourbon, too.
Over the years, I’ve shared pours of non-Kentucky bourbons with some of the biggest names in Kentucky whiskey, and there’s often an appreciation for what distillers in other regions are creating. In fact, a good bit of the bourbon you think of as Kentucky-made is distilled in Indiana at MGP before being bottled under different brand labels (which is a whole different debate).
So, if you’re looking to explore what bourbon tastes like outside the Bluegrass State, here are ten bottles from ten different states proving that while Kentucky remains bourbon’s heart and soul, great bourbon can be made across the country.
From Tuthilltown Spirits in the Hudson Valley, this bourbon offers an approachable nose of vanilla bean, caramel corn, and light cinnamon. On the palate, it’s youthful but pleasant, with toffee sweetness, a bit of cracked pepper, and a dry oak finish. Think of it as a bright introduction to non-Kentucky craft bourbon.
Made high in the Rockies, Breckenridge Bourbon benefits from snowmelt water that’s naturally rich in minerals. It’s a blend of high-rye bourbons with notes of butterscotch, candied orange peel, and baking spice on the nose, leading into a palate of caramel apple, toasted oak, and rye-driven peppery spice.
From a true grain-to-glass distillery near Fallon, Nevada, Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon is made entirely with grains grown on their family farm. The nose is inviting with caramel corn, toasted nuts, and sweet cinnamon roll aromas. On the palate, you’ll find rich toffee, hints of clove and cocoa powder, and a slightly earthy, grain-forward finish that reflects its farm-grown roots.
Balcones takes its bourbon seriously, using blue corn to create a rich, full-bodied whiskey. Expect big roasted corn and dark chocolate aromas, with a palate that’s viscous and nutty, offering notes of burnt sugar, espresso, and a hint of smoked oak. It’s bourbon with swagger.
While Smooth Ambler sources some whiskey, their Old Scout line includes blends finished and bottled in West Virginia. The bourbon has a classic caramel and vanilla nose, accented by leather and tobacco. On the palate, it’s warming and spicy with cinnamon stick, toasted oak, and a slightly herbal rye kick.
Distilled in Kirby, Wyoming, this straight bourbon is made with regional grains and aged in the dry mountain air. The nose carries honey, toffee, and a touch of mint. Sip it and you’ll find flavors of vanilla cream, brown sugar, and gentle clove spice, finishing smooth and slightly herbal.
From Evanston, Illinois—once a center of Prohibition activism—FEW’s bourbon is a lively pour. The nose offers clove, vanilla frosting, and malted milk balls, while the palate delivers rich caramel, cocoa powder, and a rye-heavy finish of black pepper and dried cherry.
Produced in Sonoma County with a blend of bourbons aged 4-12 years, Pipe Dream has aromas of caramel corn, toasted pecans, and sweet maple syrup. On the palate, it’s velvety with notes of vanilla custard, butterscotch, and a gentle wood tannin, evoking the serene California forests it’s named for.
From Newport, Kentucky’s northern neighbor across the river, New Riff is technically an Ohio bourbon. Their Bottled in Bond expression offers a classic high-rye profile with bright orange zest and cinnamon on the nose, followed by caramel, clove, and black pepper spice on a well-structured palate.
Produced by Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Belle Meade Bourbon is a high-rye bourbon that offers a rich and spicy profile. On the nose, you’ll find caramel, baked apple, and a hint of leather. The palate delivers brown sugar, cinnamon spice, and toasted oak with a slightly peppery finish, showcasing Tennessee’s take on a bourbon that stands apart from its famous neighbor, Tennessee whiskey.