The Chemistry of Whiskey (Video)

The latest episode of the American Chemical Society's Reactions series celebrates the chemical process of distillation that makes bourbon and other whiskey varieties possible

Written byAmerican Chemical Society
| 1 min read
Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00

Video Credit: Reactions

WASHINGTON — Derby Day is around the corner, and with it comes big hats, horses with funny names, and bourbon. The latest episode of the American Chemical Society's Reactions series celebrates the chemical process of distillation that makes bourbon and other whiskey varieties possible. Since water and ethanol, along with tasty flavors, have different boiling points, they can be separated by carefully heating the mash that starts off every whiskey. Each distillery carefully protects their still design, engineered to create their signature liquor. The strongest flavors take aging, but might some innovative whiskey makers find a way to hack maturation time? There's a barrel-full of chemistry in this video about whiskey: https://youtu.be/cR7Bt9Ei_zI.

Loading Next Article...
Loading Next Article...

CURRENT ISSUE - October 2025

Turning Safety Principles Into Daily Practice

Move Beyond Policies to Build a Lab Culture Where Safety is Second Nature

Lab Manager October 2025 Cover Image