Bourbon mashbills are the foundation of any bourbon whiskey. A mashbill is the recipe for the mixture of grains used to make bourbon. It determines the flavor, aroma, and overall character of the whiskey. By law, bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, but the other grains used in the mashbill can vary widely.
The most common grains used in bourbon mashbills are corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Corn provides sweetness and body to the whiskey, while rye adds spice and complexity. Wheat gives bourbon a smooth, mellow flavor, and malted barley adds enzymes that help to convert the starches in the grains into sugars.
