Corn whiskey (sometimes Corn Liquor, "White Dog", or "White Lightning") is an American liquor made from a mash made of at least 80 percent corn. It is based on the typical American moonshine, since illicit whiskey was usually made with corn for the mash (often with some sugar). However, several commercial distillers such as Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace have started to produce corn whiskies for retail sale.
The whiskey is typically distilled to high proof (greater than 150 proof). Often, the corn whiskey is then diluted with water to 40 percent alcohol by volume and bottled. However, the whiskey can be aged in used or uncharred oak barrels. Aging usually is brief, six months or less, during which time the whiskey absorbs color and flavor from the barrel while the off-flavors and fusel alcohols are reduced.
A variant called "Straight Corn Whiskey" is also produced in which, the whiskey is stored in used or uncharred new oak containers for 2 years or more. Some whiskies produced in this manner and aged for at least 4 years can be designated bottled in bond.
Famous quotes containing the words corn and/or whiskey:
“Cole’s Hill was the scene of the secret night burials of those who died during the first year of the settlement. Corn was planted over their graves so that the Indians should not know how many of their number had perished.”
—For the State of Massachusetts, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Off Highway 106
At Cherrylog Road I entered
The ‘34 Ford without wheels,
Smothered in kudzu,
With a seat pulled out to run
Corn whiskey down from the hills,”
—James Dickey (b. 1923)