This is a tricky question. The simple answer is, there is zero sugar in bourbon. But I have a feeling that’s not what you’re really asking. You’re probably asking about sugar content because bourbon tastes sweet. That sweetness is from the mash, a step in the bourbon-making process. Let me explain…
Bourbon is made by creating a mash of at least 51% corn, and other types of grain including wheat, barley, rye, etc. This mash is made by taking these grains and mixing them in hot water to extract sugars, almost like making porridge. That sugar water is then boiled and cooled down before yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol.
Then, that alcoholic liquid is distilled to create the spirit we put into barrels. Because of the large proportion of corn in the mash, there is a resulting perception of sweetness in the finished product. But if you were to test the bourbon for sugar, you wouldn’t find any, since it’s all been converted to alcohol.
