-raYnne-
21-11-06, 23:33
Types of Whiskey
What primarily differentiate whiskeys are the kinds of grains used in the fermentation process and the distillation and aging process. Originally nothing more than distilled beer, whiskey has evolved into a complex beverage made from different types of "mash" - the fermented combination of grains that give each whiskey its distinct taste. A regular "sweet mash" can be used or blended with some of the previous mash to create the "sour mash" common in bourbon or Tennessee whiskey.
* Straight whiskey must be aged in new charred oak barrels for two years and only water can be added to dilute the alcohol to no less than 80 proof. Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and Rye are common examples of straight whiskeys.
* Blended whiskey contains straight whiskey and neutral spirits and also comes in at at least 80 proof. The blending process allows distilleries to maintain a very consistent flavor — and one that is generally more mellow than either straight or single-malt.
* Single-malt whiskeys can be made only from a malted mash and bottled at a single distillery. This is the most expensive type of whiskey and because the flavor reflects the distillery so closely, the taste will differ greatly from brand to brand.
Whiskey Geography
The real area where most people have preferences will be in the birthplace of their favorite bottle — the types of water and the methods used to distill, store, and age the whiskey varies greatly around the major whiskey-producing regions of the world.
* Scotland
Whiskey from Scotland, or Scotch, gains its distinctive flavor from the use of barley instead of corn for the flavoring in the "mash". The malted barley is dried over peat fires which gives Scotch its distinctive smoky flavor and it's usually aged for at least three years. All different types of whiskey (or "whisky" as it's spelled in Scotland) are made in Scotland, although single-malt Scotches are among the best-loved whiskeys overall. Well-known brands from Scotland include Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Chivas Regal, and Dewars.
* United States
The flavors of Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey — not to mention "Hooch" or "Moonshine", the home brewed versions — are distinguished primarily by the use of over 50% corn in the grain mash. Small-batch Bourbons are appearing to satisfy the cravings of whiskey aficionados who may askance at less-sophisticated blended US whiskeys.
Jim Beam Black Label and Maker's Mark are both classic Bourbons. Rye whiskeys such as Old Overholt or Jim Beam Rye, with over 50% rye in the mash, are made in both the US and Canada and are often quite assertive in flavor. The main difference with a Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels is that it gains sweetness as it's slowly filtered through large vets of sugar-maple charcoal.
* Canada
Seagram's VO and Crown Royal are not only two of the most popular whiskeys from Canada, but two of the most popular overall. Canadian Whiskeys tend to be smoother and lighter than those made in the US and they are always wood-aged for a minimum of three years — often in casks that were previously used for bourbon, brandy, or sherry for extra flavor.
* Ireland
Irish Whiskeys are triple-distilled for extra smoothness and are aged for a minimum of four years. Because they're relatively mellow and very flavorful, Irish Whiskeys can be one of best ways to ease into whiskey drinking. The use of unmalted barley also gives these whiskeys a very different flavor profile from the neighboring Scotches. Popular brands include Bushmill's, Connemara, Jameson, and Tullamore Dew.
What primarily differentiate whiskeys are the kinds of grains used in the fermentation process and the distillation and aging process. Originally nothing more than distilled beer, whiskey has evolved into a complex beverage made from different types of "mash" - the fermented combination of grains that give each whiskey its distinct taste. A regular "sweet mash" can be used or blended with some of the previous mash to create the "sour mash" common in bourbon or Tennessee whiskey.
* Straight whiskey must be aged in new charred oak barrels for two years and only water can be added to dilute the alcohol to no less than 80 proof. Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, and Rye are common examples of straight whiskeys.
* Blended whiskey contains straight whiskey and neutral spirits and also comes in at at least 80 proof. The blending process allows distilleries to maintain a very consistent flavor — and one that is generally more mellow than either straight or single-malt.
* Single-malt whiskeys can be made only from a malted mash and bottled at a single distillery. This is the most expensive type of whiskey and because the flavor reflects the distillery so closely, the taste will differ greatly from brand to brand.
Whiskey Geography
The real area where most people have preferences will be in the birthplace of their favorite bottle — the types of water and the methods used to distill, store, and age the whiskey varies greatly around the major whiskey-producing regions of the world.
* Scotland
Whiskey from Scotland, or Scotch, gains its distinctive flavor from the use of barley instead of corn for the flavoring in the "mash". The malted barley is dried over peat fires which gives Scotch its distinctive smoky flavor and it's usually aged for at least three years. All different types of whiskey (or "whisky" as it's spelled in Scotland) are made in Scotland, although single-malt Scotches are among the best-loved whiskeys overall. Well-known brands from Scotland include Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, Chivas Regal, and Dewars.
* United States
The flavors of Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey — not to mention "Hooch" or "Moonshine", the home brewed versions — are distinguished primarily by the use of over 50% corn in the grain mash. Small-batch Bourbons are appearing to satisfy the cravings of whiskey aficionados who may askance at less-sophisticated blended US whiskeys.
Jim Beam Black Label and Maker's Mark are both classic Bourbons. Rye whiskeys such as Old Overholt or Jim Beam Rye, with over 50% rye in the mash, are made in both the US and Canada and are often quite assertive in flavor. The main difference with a Tennessee whiskey like Jack Daniels is that it gains sweetness as it's slowly filtered through large vets of sugar-maple charcoal.
* Canada
Seagram's VO and Crown Royal are not only two of the most popular whiskeys from Canada, but two of the most popular overall. Canadian Whiskeys tend to be smoother and lighter than those made in the US and they are always wood-aged for a minimum of three years — often in casks that were previously used for bourbon, brandy, or sherry for extra flavor.
* Ireland
Irish Whiskeys are triple-distilled for extra smoothness and are aged for a minimum of four years. Because they're relatively mellow and very flavorful, Irish Whiskeys can be one of best ways to ease into whiskey drinking. The use of unmalted barley also gives these whiskeys a very different flavor profile from the neighboring Scotches. Popular brands include Bushmill's, Connemara, Jameson, and Tullamore Dew.