What is a common characteristic of straight bourbon?

Straight bourbon has specific legal requirements that define its characteristics, and one of the primary criteria is that it must be made in the United States. This requirement is stipulated by the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, which designates bourbon as a product that must originate from the U.S.

Bourbon is often associated with the state of Kentucky, but it can be produced in any state. This geographic specificity is crucial as it distinguishes bourbon from other types of whiskey that may originate from different countries or regions.

The other options do not align with the defining qualities of straight bourbon. For example, while rye content is relevant to certain types of whiskey, straight bourbon is primarily corn-based and must contain at least 51% corn. Aged bourbon is required to be aged in new, charred oak barrels, and there is no stipulation that necessitates it being bottled at a minimum proof of 80; however, most bourbons are indeed bottled at a higher proof standard. Hence, the requirement for it to be made in the United States is a fundamental characteristic in identifying straight bourbon.