Minimum 40% ABV (80 proof). Bourbon must also be distilled at no higher than 80% ABV and enter the barrel at no more than 62.5% ABV.

While the standard bottle on your local shelf usually sits right at the 40% mark, the world of whiskey is far more diverse. From "bottled-in-bond" requirements to high-octane "cask strength" expressions, the percentage of alcohol in your glass dictates everything from the texture on your tongue to the complexity of the aroma. 1. The Legal Minimum: 40% ABV (80 Proof)

| | Typical ABV | Typical Proof (US) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Standard Bottled | 40% | 80 | | Common Premium | 43-46% | 86-92 | | Barrel Proof / Cask Strength | 50-65%+ | 100-130+ |

"Cask Strength" (or "Barrel Proof") whiskey is bottled exactly as it comes out of the wood, with no water added for dilution. Because alcohol evaporates at a different rate than water during aging—a phenomenon known as the —the ABV can fluctuate wildly.

Here is a breakdown of the standard alcohol content percentages for different types of whiskey: