Bourbon Whiskey Singapore | Premium Kentucky Bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions — Bourbon Singapore

What is bourbon?

Bourbon is America's native whiskey, a corn-based spirit aged in new charred oak barrels. By US law it must be made in the United States from a grain mash of at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 80% ABV, and matured in brand-new charred oak — the new wood is what gives bourbon its signature sweetness of vanilla, caramel, toffee and baking spice. Most bourbon is made in Kentucky, though it can legally be produced anywhere in the country. Styles range from soft wheated bourbons to spicier high-rye recipes, and from everyday bottles to single-barrel and cask-strength releases. At The Liquid Collection, the bourbon range runs from Jim Beam White at $52 SGD to the Willett 8 Year Old Family Estate single cask at $498 SGD.

What makes a whiskey a bourbon?

To be called bourbon, a whiskey must meet strict legal rules: it has to be made in the United States, from a mash of at least 51% corn, distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, aged in new charred oak containers, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof, with no added colouring or flavouring. There is no minimum ageing period for plain bourbon, but to be labelled straight bourbon it must be aged at least two years. The new charred oak requirement is the key difference from Scotch, which reuses barrels. At The Liquid Collection you will find everything from straight bourbons like Buffalo Trace to bottled-in-bond and single-barrel expressions, all meeting these standards.

Is bourbon the same as Tennessee whiskey?

No — although they are closely related. Tennessee whiskey meets all the legal requirements of bourbon, but adds one extra step: the spirit is filtered through sugar-maple charcoal before barrelling, a process known as the Lincoln County Process, which mellows the whiskey. It must also be made in Tennessee. Bourbon has no such filtering step and can be made anywhere in the US, mostly Kentucky. The two taste similar but Tennessee whiskey is often a touch smoother and softer. The Liquid Collection stocks bourbon here and lists Jack Daniel's and other Tennessee whiskey in a dedicated Tennessee Whiskey collection, so you can compare the two styles side by side.

What is the difference between bourbon and rye whiskey?

The difference is the dominant grain. Bourbon must be at least 51% corn, which makes it sweeter, rounder and softer, with vanilla and caramel notes. American rye whiskey must be at least 51% rye, which makes it drier, spicier and more peppery, with a sharper backbone. Both are aged in new charred oak and share the same legal framework otherwise. Rye is prized in cocktails like the Manhattan and Sazerac for the way its spice cuts through sweet vermouth, while bourbon shines in an Old Fashioned or Mint Julep. The Liquid Collection stocks both: the bourbon range here, and a separate American Rye Whiskey collection with names like Templeton, WhistlePig and Michter's.

How many bourbons does The Liquid Collection stock?

The Liquid Collection stocks 22 bourbons, priced from $52 to $498 SGD, plus a handful of closely related American whiskeys. The everyday tier includes Jim Beam White at $52 SGD, Bulleit at $73 SGD, Maker's Mark at $78 SGD, Buffalo Trace at $80 SGD and Woodford Reserve at $96 SGD. Premium and single-barrel bottles include Four Roses at $111 SGD and Blanton's Original at $125 SGD, with cask-strength and craft releases such as Blanton's Straight from the Barrel at $198 SGD, Widow Jane 10 at $173 SGD and the Willett 8 Year Old single cask at $498 SGD. The selection also includes Michter's whiskeys, a Woodford wheat whiskey, and bourbon tasting sets. All qualify for free islandwide delivery in Singapore.

What is the best bourbon for a beginner or for cocktails?

For a first bottle or a cocktail base, an approachable, well-priced bourbon works best. Buffalo Trace at $80 SGD is a benchmark all-rounder, smooth enough to sip and excellent in an Old Fashioned; Maker's Mark at $78 SGD is a soft wheated bourbon that many beginners love; and Bulleit at $73 SGD, with its higher rye content, has the spice to stand up in a Manhattan or Boulevardier. Jim Beam White at $52 SGD is the most economical mixer. As you progress, single-barrel bottles like Blanton's Original at $125 SGD reward sipping neat. The Liquid Collection can recommend a bourbon to match your taste or your cocktail on WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856.

What is a single barrel bourbon like Blanton's?

A single barrel bourbon is bottled from one individual cask rather than blended from many, so each batch carries the unique character of that barrel. Blanton's, made at the Buffalo Trace distillery and widely regarded as the original single-barrel bourbon when it launched in 1984, is the most famous example, recognisable by its rounded bottle and collectible horse-and-jockey stoppers. Single barrels often show more intensity and individuality than standard bottlings. At The Liquid Collection, the Blanton's range includes the Original at $125 SGD, the Gold Edition at $178 SGD and the cask-strength Straight from the Barrel at $198 SGD, alongside the Willett Family Estate single cask at $498 SGD. These are bottles to sip neat and appreciate.

What is wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark?

Wheated bourbon uses wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, after the required corn. This produces a softer, rounder, gentler whiskey, with less of the pepper and spice that rye brings and more emphasis on smooth caramel, vanilla and bread-like notes. Maker's Mark, with its hand-dipped red wax seal, is the best-known wheated bourbon and a benchmark of the style, stocked at The Liquid Collection for $78 SGD, with the premium Wood Finishing Series Singapore limited edition at $388 SGD. Wheated bourbons are often recommended to newcomers and to drinkers who find high-rye bourbons too sharp. They sip beautifully neat or over a single large ice cube.

How should I drink bourbon?

Bourbon is versatile. Everyday bottles are superb in cocktails — the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Boulevardier and Mint Julep are all bourbon classics — while more characterful single-barrel and cask-strength bottles reward sipping neat or over a single large ice cube. A few drops of water can open up a high-proof bourbon and soften the heat. Serve at room temperature in a rocks glass or a tulip-shaped nosing glass to appreciate the aromas. As a rule, mix with your everyday bourbon and sip your premium one. The Liquid Collection stocks bottles for both purposes, from cocktail-friendly Jim Beam and Bulleit to sipping bourbons like Blanton's, all with free islandwide delivery in Singapore.

What do bottled-in-bond and cask strength mean?

These are quality and strength designations. Bottled-in-bond is a historic US standard requiring the whiskey to be the product of one distillery and one distilling season, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof — a guarantee of authenticity and a fuller flavour. Cask strength, also called barrel proof, means the bourbon is bottled at the strength it comes out of the barrel, without dilution, so it is more intense; adding a little water lets you tune it to taste. At The Liquid Collection, cask-strength options include Blanton's Straight from the Barrel at $198 SGD and the Woodford Master's Collection Batch Proof at $200 SGD.

How much does bourbon cost in Singapore, and does The Liquid Collection deliver?

At The Liquid Collection, bourbon ranges from $52 to $498 SGD. The everyday tier sits between $52 and $111 SGD — Jim Beam White at $52 SGD, Bulleit at $73 SGD, Maker's Mark at $78 SGD, Buffalo Trace at $80 SGD, Woodford Reserve at $96 SGD and Four Roses at $111 SGD. Premium, single-barrel and craft bottles run from Blanton's Original at $125 SGD up to the Willett 8 Year Old Family Estate single cask at $498 SGD. All prices are in Singapore dollars for 70cl or 75cl bottles. The Liquid Collection delivers free islandwide across Singapore with no minimum order and a standard 3 working days, and the team is on WhatsApp at +65 9680 5856 for advice, stock checks and gifting. The office is at 2 Sims Close, #02-10, Singapore 387298.