Corn Whiskeys are presumed to be the moonshine! But it is just the opposite. For a long time, corn whiskey was underrated; people overlooked it as a high-quality whiskey.
But now the time has changed. Corn whiskey has gained fandom recently. Today, the newly launched distilleries are releasing the best quality corn whiskeys in the market. So get ready to welcome a new change in this oft-forgotten whiskey category.
This article will tell our readers about the best corn for Whiskey.
#1. Which Type of Corn Makes the Best Whiskey?
Do you want to know the best corn for Whiskey? Indeed, its yellow dent field corn, the number one corn tested by the US Department of Agriculture’s quality grade.
This top-quality corn is produced in bulk to make plastic products, ethanol, and feed cattle.
Many of the top researchers have studied the hybrid varieties of corn to know about their genetic makeup. Environmental factors have the power to affect the taste of corn Whiskey.
What Type of Corn Is Good For Whiskey?
You must be looking for the perfect corn for whiskey mash. The answer is to find the cheapest corn for production.
- “Feed” corn has power-packed protein as it contains more oil.
- White corn has less color in comparison to colored corn but is also a good option.
- Flour corn is a great choice to go with.
- Red corn is good for tortillas and has the best flavors.
#2. What Type of Corn for Whiskey?
Yellow can be said to be one of the top-produced corn; as per research, there are different corn, White, mixed and yellow grains. Each of the corn classes is subdivided into different US sample grades and numerical grades.
Below Are the Right Specifications for Corn Whiskey
- 56 lbs of given bushel/ corn has almost 0.1% of damaged kernels, 2.0 or less than 2.0% of damaged kernels, 2% or less than 2% of foreign materials or corn.
- 54 lbs of bushel or corn contains less than 35% of foreign material and corn plus 0.2 % of damaged kernels and less heat.
#3. What Type of Corn Is Used to Make Bourbon?
Sweet corn is typically used to produce Bourbon. It comes in varied varieties starting from yellow, white, and colored. This type of corn is readily available at the entire grocery store. Sweet corn needs to be picked at the right time; it should be immature and in its milk stage. It can also be consumed as a dried-out grain.
During the process of kernel development, it undergoes six stages to get Bourbon.
- Silk stage
- Blister stage
- Milk Stage
- Dough stage
- Dent stage
- Full maturity
After these stages go successfully, you will get the best corn for Whiskey. All the steps in the process are essential; if you fail to follow any of the steps, you will not get the Bourbon. So the choice is yours.
Is Corn Whiskey the Same As Moonshine?
American Moonshine, the name that always gets connected with Whiskey, So stereotypically, both are distinct from each other. Whiskey is produced with more of a traditional mesh process and has different laws and subject to identity laws and tax under the federal regulations. As an example, many commercial distillers like Heaven Hills launch unaged corn whiskeys for market sale.
So yes, Moonlight is different from corn whiskey. You must be curious to know from where to buy corn for whiskey mash? Right? So you will get it in the grocery store too.
#4. How to Make Moonshine: Corn Mash Recipe
Now, it’s time to reveal Moonshine Corn Mash Recipe; here we go:
Ingredients required
- Take 5 Gallons of Water
- 8.5 pounds of Flaked corn maize
- Yeast
- 1.5 pounds of crushed malted barley
- Mash pot
- Heat source
- Fermentation Bucket
- Long Spoon
- Thermometer
Procedure to follow
- In the first step, you need to put the mash pot on the heat source and put 5 gallons of water.
- Heat the water at the temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Once the heat level reaches about 165 degrees F, immediately turn off the heat source, and you need to stir 8.5 pounds of Flaked Corn Maize.
- You have to mix the mixture for almost 7 minutes.
- Until the temperature cools down to 152 degrees F, stir the mixture again and again.
- After the mixture gets mixed, and you have to stir 1.5 pounds of crushed malted barley.
- Check the temperature every 30 seconds and then stir the mixture.
- Once the mixture gets cooled, you need to add yeast.
- You must aerate the mixture into two containers.
- It’s time to add the mixture into the fermentation bucket. Three things should be there with you in the procedure, bucket, airlock and cap, and even a spigot.
This is the procedure to make the best moonshine whiskey.
#5. Best Corn Whiskeys
If you are not in the mood for making your moonshine, we give you below the best corn whiskeys for trying out:
Dark Corner
This is a very smooth moonshine that uses 100 proof corn. It is full of flavor, with a wide profile apart from just grass or sweet corn. Dark Corner is an excellent starter whiskey.
LBL Moonshine
LBL is made from 50 proof corn. It has an earthy flavor profile which reminds the drinker of the original bootleg moonshine from the ’40s.
Colorado’s Own
Colorado is today close on the heels of Kentucky and Tennessee for being called a whiskey state. Colorado Gold has a three-grain mash bill and is distilled at 80 proof.
Final Words
We have tried to cover a lot of information about corn whiskey. If you are a whiskey lover, this information will hold you in good stead and help you make your moonshine quickly and easily.
We would love to hear your queries, comments, and suggestions about the article. Do share your thoughts with us in the comment box below. Till then, happy drinking!
