Many people struggle with the difference between lager and malt. And just as many people (even those who call themselves whiskey persons) can’t tell the difference between Scotch and Bourbon. Here’s how Bourbon and Scotch compare.

Bourbon and Scotch are two of many types of whiskey. Whiskey is a broad category of distilled and barrel-aged liquor made by fermenting grain. Wheat, corn, rye, and barley are the most widely used grains.

If you come across a bottle of whiskey labeled “Bourbon,” you can bet it’s made in America. This is because Bourbon is made exclusively in America. Bourbon is so American that no whiskey made outside the US can be labeled “Bourbon.” It’s like Champagne, which is named after a French city, the exclusive maker of sparkling wine. Similarly, Scotch is made exclusively in Scotland.

Beyond the difference in their countries of origin are other subtle differences. The two have different textures and tastes. Scotch has a sharp, more distinct flavor than Bourbon. Bourbon tends to be sweet, with traces of caramel, oak, and vanilla, which give it a mellow taste.

The difference in taste and texture has something to do with the two whiskies’ ages and storage. Whereas Scotch ages in used oak casks and takes at least three years before a bottle can hit the shelves, Bourbon is aged in new oak barrels and matures in four months to two years. The longer maturation period of Scotch explains the acquired smoky flavor in it that’s absent in Bourbon.

Both whiskies follow the same process of grain fermentation. But the ingredients used as well as their composition differ. Single malt Scotch is made using one type of grain. Bourbon comprises more than one type of grain, usually barley.

Like Bourbon, though, grain whiskey, a Scotch, is made with more than one grain. For Bourbon, however, corn (maize) must make up at least 51 percent of the ingredients. The rest can be rye, wheat, or barley.

They are also distilled differently. The distillation process of Bourbon involves passing the liquor through a column still first, then through a “doubler,” a modified copper pot still.

Scotch follows a more complex distillation process, depending on the style. Single malt, which can be double or triple-distilled, is passed through pot stills, while grain whiskey is passed through a column still.

The chemistry behind the two whiskies may not mean much for the beginner. But a whiskey enthusiast can tell the difference between triple-distilled and doubled-distilled liquor.

When it comes to Bourbon and Scotch, it’s hard to say which is the superior drink. Some brands are arguably better than others. Both are decent drinks, given their highly regulated production and distribution.

So, there you have it. When next you get asked which, between Bourbon and Scotch, do you like and why you’ll have something to say. You could say you like Scotch because it's more aged and has a richer history (or texture) than Bourbon. Or that Bourbon is your favorite because it’s reasonably priced and you like American whiskey. Or you could simply say whiskey is whiskey.