RATED EXCELLENT ON TRUSTPILOT     •      FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £100      •     5% OFF WINES & CHAMPAGNE WHEN YOU BUY 12 OR MORE
RATED EXCELLENT ON TRUSTPILOT
FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £100
5% OFF WINES & CHAMPAGNE WHEN YOU BUY 12 OR MORE
Understanding Whisky (Whiskey if you’re Irish!)

Understanding Whisky (Whiskey if you’re Irish)

 

Introduction

 

Whisky is a spirit produced from grains, usually barley and rye. Whisky (whiskey) is generally matured in oak barrels until it reaches the desired flavour. The longer the liquid is matured for, the more exclusive the whisky (whiskey) becomes! The end result is one of the most famous alcoholic drinks in the world and a staple of many cocktail bars around the globe.

 

Whisky is an alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented grains.

 

Whisky is a type of alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented grains. In particular, it can be made from barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye and wheat (among other things). It is created by a process of distillation from a mash of grains which includes corn.

Whisky has been produced for over 500 years in Scotland and Ireland but also in many other countries around the world including America where it was popularised during prohibition in 1920s as “whiskey”, which is actually an Irish word for whiskey!

 

The name whisky originated from the Gaelic word ‘uisge beatha’, meaning “water of life”

 

The name whisky originated from the Gaelic word ‘uisge beatha’, meaning “water of life.” The word whisky is used to describe a spirit made from fermented grains.

 

Whiskey may either use the spellings whisky or whiskey. American and Irish spell it whiskey, the rest of the world spells it whisky

 

The term “whiskey” is used in the United States and Ireland, while “whisky” is used everywhere else. It’s a matter of national pride: Americans call it whiskey because they want to be distinct from the rest of the world, while Irishmen call it whiskey to avoid sounding like they’re talking about scotch (which we’ll get to later). The Japanese do use “whisky,” but only because they were trying to emulate British culture as portrayed by Hollywood movies like “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne. So if you want to sound sophisticated when discussing whisky with an Irishman or a Japanese person, spell it with an “e” at the end!

 

Scotch is a whisky that can only be made in Scotland.

 

Scotch is a whisky that can only be made in Scotland. It’s also known as Scotch whiskey, or simply Scotch.

The term Scotch originated in the United Kingdom, where it is used to refer to any distilled beverage that strictly follows the legal requirements for being labeled as “Scotch Whisky.” The term Scotch is also used in the United States, Canada and Australia—but these countries tend to use the word “whiskey” instead of “whisky” when referring to this spirit from Scotland.

For example: The most commonly consumed type of scotch is blended whisky—a mixture of grain and malt whiskies blended together according to taste. A single-malt scotch comes entirely from one distillery; no grain spirits are added during its production process. Single malts are more expensive than blends because they’re made with fewer ingredients (usually just barley), but they have unique flavours that may appeal more strongly depending on your tastes!

 

Bourbon is a style of corn-based, barrel-aged whiskey that originated in the southern United States. The name comes from the French Bourbon dynasty, although it is still debated till today whether the Kentucky county or New York City inspired this whiskey’s name

 

Bourbon is a style of corn-based, barrel-aged whiskey that originated in the southern United States. The name comes from the French Bourbon dynasty, although it is still debated till today whether the Kentucky county or New York City inspired this whiskey’s name.

Bourbon must be made in America using at least 51% corn as its primary grain and aging in new charred oak barrels. These rules ensure that bourbon is unique to our country’s history and culture, with each state producing their own version—a tradition that contributes greatly to American pride!

 

Japanese Whisky has three main styles: blended, light, and single malt

 

Japanese whisky has three main styles: blended, light, and single malt.

  • Blended whisky is made from a blend of grains, including wheat and corn. It’s then aged in oak casks for up to 20 years before bottling. This style is lighter and sweeter than its American counterpart, so it may appeal to those who prefer a less intense flavour profile.
  • Light Japanese whisky is made with the same base ingredients as blended whiskies but also includes some barley malt for extra flavouring—and thus contains less colour than regular blends or single malts. This gives it a lighter body (and thus smoother finish) with more delicate aromas than its counterparts; however, keep in mind that this isn’t an indication of quality! A well-made light whiskey can be just as complex as any other variety on offer at your local liquor store or bar.
  • Single Malt Whiskies are made from 100% malted barley grain; they’re not diluted like blends or flavoured by adding other grains such as corn or rye like some American whiskies do (though these additives aren’t necessarily bad thing).

Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Whisky holds the record for being bottled and released longest continuously by a single family, who own their own distillery and produce their own product.

 

Glenfarclas Single Malt Scotch Whisky holds the record for being bottled and released longest continuously by a single family, who own their own distillery and produce their own product. The business was founded in 1836 when John Grant bought the distillery on a whim while traveling through the village of Ballindalloch, Scotland. He named it after his horse farm Glenfarclas (Gaelic for “valley of the green grass”).

The company has been run by five generations of Grants since then: John Grant died in 1874; Charles Edward (Charlie) Grant took over as owner until 1947; George Smith Grant became owner until 1952; Andrew Hay Smith Grant ran things from 1952 to 1971; and now Charles Gordon MacGregor Grant is currently running things today.

 

A proper glass to drink whiskey out of is called a Glen-cairn Crystal Whiskey Glass

 

To drink a proper whiskey, you’re going to need a proper glass. A Glen-cairn Crystal Whiskey Glass is specifically designed to enhance the flavour of the drink. The glass has a small opening for your nose and one large opening for your mouth. This allows you to smell the aroma first, then taste it before swallowing.

Here’s what happens when you pour whiskey into this type of glass:

When you pour whiskey in your glass, it will take up most of it before overflowing onto your table or bar top if you have one too many drinks in one sitting (don’t worry—we won’t judge).

 

Whisky (or whiskey) can be divided into two categories – malt whisky and grain whisky.

 

Whisky (or whiskey, if you’re Irish) can be divided into two categories: malt whisky and grain whisky. Malt whiskies are made from malted barley, while grain whiskies are made from corn, rye, wheat or barley. These two types of whiskeys make up the bulk of what’s available on the market today.

Grain whisky is used to make blended whiskies like Johnnie Walker Red Label and Dewar’s 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky; these blends often use relatively young grain whiskies that have been aged in new oak barrels for no more than three years. Grain whiskies also make up some single malts—for example, Glenlivet 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky uses a combination of sherry cask-aged Speyside malt whisky and ex-bourbon cask-aged Speyside malt whisky.

 

Conclusion

 

If you are new to whisky, then the first step is to take your time. Don’t rush into buying a bottle and drinking it. Instead, make sure that you understand the basics of how whisky is made, where it comes from and what styles are available before you try any out. The more you learn, the better your understanding will be when picking out something suitable for your tastes! With all this said, I hope we have given some guidance on understanding whisky and how to choose a bottle for yourself or someone else.

More
articles