Whiskey

Whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used for different varieties, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. The process of making whiskey involves several steps:

  1. Mashing: The grains are ground and mixed with water to create a mash.
  2. Fermentation: Yeast is added to the mash to ferment the sugars, producing alcohol and other compounds.
  3. Distillation: The alcoholic mixture is heated in a still, usually made of copper, where it vaporizes. The vapors are then condensed back into liquid form, increasing the alcohol content.
  4. Aging: The distilled spirit is aged in wooden casks, typically made of charred oak, which contributes to its flavor, color, and aroma. The aging process can vary from a few years to several decades.
  5. Bottling: After aging, the whiskey is often filtered and diluted with water before being bottled.

Whiskey is known for its rich variety of flavors, which can include notes of vanilla, oak, fruit, and spices, depending on the type of grains used, the distillation process, the aging period, and the type of casks in which it was aged.

There are several types of whiskey, each with specific characteristics based on their region of production and the methods used:

  • Scotch Whisky: Made in Scotland, typically from malted barley.
  • Irish Whiskey: Made in Ireland, usually triple distilled and known for its smoothness.
  • American Whiskey: Includes Bourbon (made primarily from corn), Rye (made primarily from rye), and Tennessee whiskey (similar to Bourbon but includes a filtration step through charcoal).
  • Canadian Whisky: Often lighter and made from a mix of grains.

Whiskey is enjoyed in many ways: neat, with water, on the rocks, or as a component of various cocktails

Corn, Rye, Malt, Malt Rye, Bourbon, Scotch, Tennessee, Wheat   WHISKEY

Whisky, or also spelled Whiskey, is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains are used for different varieties of whiskey, mainly barley, corn, rye, and wheat.  Whisky is usually aged in charred white oak barrels.  The wooden barrels impart flavors, aromas, and color onto the whisk(e)y.

A still for making whisky is usually made of copper, since it removes sulfur-based compounds from the alcohol that would make the liquid foul tasting if not removed.  Modern stills are built with stainless steel but have copper parts on the inside including a copper liner.

Whiskeys do not mature in the bottle.  They are aged in oak casts. (French and American oak).

There are two styles of whiskey; Malt whiskeys (made from barley) and Grain whiskeys.

TYPES

SINGLE MALT

This product involves using one type of malt and distilled at a single distillery

BLENDED MALT

This is a mixture of single malt batches from different distilleries.

BLENDED WHISKEY

This is a blend of different whiskeys, malt and grain, from different distilleries.

CASK STRENGTH

This is bottled directly from the barrel with no diluting. Only the best are bottled this way.

SINGLE CASK

This is when bottling direct from one barrel and labeled with the cask number.  Taste will vary substantially.

REGULATIONS (U.S.)

  • Bourbon whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 51% corn (maize)
  • Corn whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 80% corn
  • Malt whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted barley
  • Rye whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 51% rye
  • Rye malt whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 51% malted rye
  • Wheat whiskey—made from mash that consists of at least 51% wheat
  • Types of whiskey

Bourbon Whiskey: An American spirit distilled from a minimum of 51 percent corn wash—most strongly linked to Kentucky distilleries. After distillation the whiskey must be aged for at least two years in new charred oak barrels.Corn Whiskey: A corn whiskey must be made from a minimum of 80 percent corn mash.

Irish Whiskey: An Irish spirit that is required to be produced from yeast-fermented malted grain.

Moonshine: A spirit produced in secret to avoid taxation and legalities. There is no aging process after distillation.

Rye Whiskey: A whiskey made from rye grain—a minimum of 51 percent rye must be used in the United States—and aged for a minimum of two years in charred oak barrels.

Scotch Whisky: A Scottish spirit made with malted barley. Blended Scotch whisky may use other grains in addition to the barley. Often the spirit will be filtered with peat for an added smoky character. Note: Single-malt Scotch whisky must be made exclusively from malted barley.

Tennessee Whiskey: A similar spirit and process to bourbon but with the addition of the Lincoln County Process, which requires Tennesseans to filter the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal after distillation and before aging.

Wheat Whiskey: A spirit made from primarily wheat—a minimum of 51 percent in the United States.

For a full list of U.S. spirit classifications, visit http://www.ttb.gov/spirits” www.ttb.gov/spirits

  • Whiskey sour: Lemon or lime juice, simple syrup and whiskey make this popular drink. While the drink is a bit sour, as the name implies, you can adjust the levels of syrup, juice and whiskey to suit your preference.
  • Old-fashioned: Another classic cocktail, this mix of bitters and sugar can combine with bourbon or rye whiskey. Opt for a sugar cube and soak it in bitters once in the glass for a classic method of preparation. Top with your preferred whiskey and an optional splash of club soda or orange peel for garnish.
  • Manhattan cocktail: Rye whiskey, bitters and sweet vermouth mix to create this great beginner cocktail. Add dry vermouth and garnish with a maraschino cherry for more flavors.
  • Irish coffee: Beginning with an unsurprising base of Irish whiskey and coffee, add sugar, cream and optional whipped cream to make this drink. Use brown sugar instead of white for an even sweeter flavor, and leave out the cream for a bolder coffee taste.
  • Mint julep: For a more complicated concoction, muddle mint leaves with sugar. Use crushed ice in this recipe for a traditional drink.