Bourbon Cooking Substitute: What the Label Has to Mean

Updated July 2026.

There is no official cooking-substitute list. Bourbon is a US type. Another whiskey, rum, or brandy is a different type, not a swap class. Typical US lots sit at 40% Residual cook ethanol unused as a number. 100 proof ≠ bottled-in-bond. Do not swap brandy 12 and cognac 13. No ten-pick crown. No 2026 ranking.

Related: cooking bourbon, baking bourbon, cooking red wine.

Type vs pan

Language 1.5 oz drinks
Bourbon ≥1.00
Other whiskey / rum / brandy Read the neck
Cook leftover
Best substitute

Count the bottle you used. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • 27 CFR 5.143 / 5.147 / 5.145. Typical 40%. Residual cook unused.
  • NIAAA December 2025.
  • 27 CFR 5.143 ≥40%
  • is 27 CFR 5.143

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