Corn whisky is characterised by its primary ingredient, corn, which distinguishes itself from other members of the whisky family through its distinctive flavour profile and production process.
By legal definition, for a whisky to be classified as corn whisky in the United States, it must contain at least 80% corn in the mash bill. Bourbon, by contrast, legally contains at least 51% corn in the mash bill. Typically that number is higher, but not usually as high as 80%, with more barley, rye, and/or wheat in the mash bill than you would typically see in a corn whiskey.
The production process of corn whisky follows traditional whisky-making methods but with a twist that aligns with its corn-centric nature. After harvesting, the corn is milled and mixed with water to create a mash. Enzymes or malted grain are then added to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. Upon fermentation, a process that can take several days, the mash is transformed into a rudimentary corn beer, setting the stage for distillation. Corn whisky is typically distilled to a lower proof than other whiskies. This is not by accident but by design, as distilling at a lower proof retains more of the flavour compounds and the essence of corn.
In contrast to many other types of whisky, corn whisky does not necessarily need to be aged. If it is aged, the law mandates that it must be stored in either used or uncharred new oak barrels. This diverges from the practices associated with bourbon, for example, which must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. The maturation process, therefore, imparts a more subtle oak influence on corn whisky, allowing the natural flavours of the corn to remain front and centre.
Corn whisky's flavour profile is distinctively sweet and robust, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and a certain earthiness that echoes the grain's agricultural roots. The palate is often smooth and creamy, with the natural sweetness of the corn asserting itself without the pronounced oakiness found in other aged spirits. This makes corn whisky an excellent base for cocktails, lending a smooth sweetness that can balance out the sharpness of mixers and the bitterness of some liqueurs.