TYPES OF WHISKY
What’s the difference between a Single Malt Scotch Whisky and a Blended Scotch Whisky? Or between a whisky, a whiskey, a bourbon, a Tennessee whiskey and a rye?
In its broadest definition, ‘whisky’ is a drink distilled from the fermentation of malt. Malt is any grain that has been allowed to germinate, particularly barley or rye, and then dried. The process by which it malt is made is called ‘molting’.
Whether it is spelled 'whisky' or 'whiskey' usually depends on where it was made.
In Scotland, Canada, Japan and other parts of the world, it is spelled without the 'e', while in the US and Ireland it is more commonly spelled with an 'e'.
The main differences between types of whisky are down to three things: the grain used; the production process; where the whisky was made; and how long it was matured for.
SCOTCH WHISKY
A Scotch Whisky must be made from malted barley or grain with the spirit aged in oak casks no bigger than 700 litres for no less than three years. Whisky of one type or another is made all over the world, but to be called Scotch Whisky it must be made entirely in Scotland.
Single Malt Whisky
This is a whisky from a single distillery made using only malted barley, water and yeast.
Single Malt Scotch Whiskies traditionally come from five regions: Lowland, Highland, Speyside, Island and Campbelltown. The different regions are famed for specific characteristics like fruitiness, freshness, maltiness and smokiness.
Grain Whisky
This is a type of whisky where the main ingredient is maize or wheat, or both.
Blended Scotch Whisky
A Blended Scotch Whisky is made by mixing together Single Malt Whiskies and Single Grain Whiskies. The advantage of blending is that it ensures the flavour and quality of the whisky remains the same time after time.
In an ‘age stated’ Blended Scotch Whisky, the age statement refers to the youngest whisky used in the blend.
IRISH WHISKEY
This is any whiskey made in Eire (Republic of Ireland) or in Northern Ireland. Unlike Scotch, any malted cereal grains can be used in any proportion. Like Scotch, it must be aged in wooden casks for a minimum of three years.
JAPANESE WHISKY
Japanese whisky is usually made in the same way as Scotch whisky. It has been manufactured since the 1920s, but has only become widely available outside Japan in the last decade.
AMERICAN-STYLE WHISKIES
Bourbon
Bourbon is an American whiskey made from malted grains that are at minimum 51% corn. The rules around what constitutes a bourbon are more relaxed than those for Scotch, but it must be made entirely within the United States to qualify.
STRAIGHT BOURBON
This is a bourbon from one American state, for example Kentucky, that has been aged for at least two years and doesn't have any additives, such as flavouring or colourants.
BLENDED BOURBON
A blended bourbon can include other spirits and flavourings, but must be a minimum of at least 51% straight bourbon.
TENNESSEE WHISKEY
This is essentially the same as bourbon. The only distinction is the inclusion of charcoal filtering in the post-distillation process.
RYE
Rye is primarily made in North America. In the United States, it must be fermented from a mixture of malted grains that is at least 51% rye. The rules around Canadian rye are much looser and they can contain far less than half rye.
OTHER WHISKY DRINKS
FLAVOURED WHISKY
Flavoured whiskies are, broadly speaking, whiskies with a single added flavouring but without additional sweetener. Popular flavourings include honey, spices and apple. Flavoured whiskies can be homemade or produced commercially as variants of some branded whiskies.
WHISKY LIQUEURS
A whisky liqueur is, broadly speaking, any form of flavoured whisky with added sweetener, traditionally served as an after-dinner drink. Whisky liqueurs fall into two broad categories: those made with cream and those made without.
More whisky knowledge
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Follow the whisky making process, from barley to bottle.
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