Tag: Bourbon alcohol content

Bourbon is legally defined as a spirit produced in the United States from a fermented mash of at least 51% corn, and every bottle must contain a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 80 proof. This alcohol is a byproduct of the fermentation process, where yeast consumes sugars from the grain mash.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a standard US drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This translates to a standard 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof bourbon, which is typically 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). The precise amount of alcohol in one shot of bourbon depends on its proof and the pour size.