Whisky

For other uses, see Whisky (disambiguation).

Whisky, or whiskey, refers to a broad category of alcoholic beverages that are distilled from grains and aged in oak casks. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and maize or corn.

Scotch whisky

Fermentation and Distillation

The whiskymaking process begins by fermentation of the various grains; the exact grains used, as well as their proportion, varies from region to region and between one distillary and another. When this process is complete, the liquid is distilled, sometimes multiple times, then transferred to oak casks, where it is aged, with the amount of time in the cask varying according to many factors. However, each year that the liquid is kept in the cask, a certain amount, known as the angel's share evaporates. After this process is completed, some distillers, such as Glenmorangie, will "finish" their product in casks that previously held various wines, such as port. Whiskys that have been aged longer generally command a higher price than those that have not been aged as long from the same distillery.

Types of whisky

Whisky or whisky-like product is produced in most grain-growing areas. They differ in base product, alcoholic content, and quality.

Scotch whiskies are generally distilled twice and must be distilled and matured wholly within Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.

Irish whiskeys are generally distilled three times and must be aged for three years in oak casks.

American Straight whiskey must be made using a mash bill that consists of at least 51% and no more than 79% of a single grain. Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn; straight rye is made from at least 51% rye, and so on. American whiskies must be aged in new barrels made of American white oak that are charred before use.

Malt whisky is a whisky made from 100% malted barley; it is distilled in an onion-shaped pot still. Malt whisky made in one distillery is called single malt whisky to distinguish it from vatted malts, which is single malt from multiple distilleries, and blended whisky, which contains some grain whisky and is significantly less expensive.

Grain whisky differs from malt in that it is usually made from corn, maize, or other grains rather than malted barley. It is distilled in continuous distillation process stills known as Coffey stills instead of the pot still used for malt whisky.

Pure pot still whiskey refers to Irish whiskey made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley and distilled in a pot still.

Blended whisky is a mix of different types, usually between malt and grain whiskies.

Vatted Malt When single malt whiskies from different distilleries are mixed together the term vatted or blended malt is used.

Names and spellings

Whisky comes from the Gaelic uisge/uisce beatha (IPA: [ɪʃkʲə bʲahə]) meaning "water of life", possibly modelled on the Latin phrase aqua vitae. The spelling whisky (plural whiskies) is generally used for whiskies distilled in Scotland, Wales, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey is used for the spirits distilled in Ireland. A 1968 directive of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives specifies "whisky" as the official U.S. spelling, but allows labeling as "whiskey" in deference to tradition; most U.S. producers still use the latter spelling. A mnemonic used to remember which spelling is used is that "Ireland" and "United States" have at least one "e" in their names, while "Scotland", "Canada" and "Japan" do not. International law reserves the term "Scotch whisky" to those whiskies produced in Scotland. Whiskies produced in other countries may not use the terms Scots, Scotch, Scotland, or Scottish. Similar conventions exist for "Irish whiskey", "Canadian whisky", and "bourbon whiskey". In North America and parts of Continental Europe, the abbreviated term "Scotch" is usually used for "Scotch whisky". In England, Scotland, and Wales, the term "whisky" almost always refers to "Scotch whisky", and the term "Scotch" is rarely used by itself. In Welsh the forms wisgi, wysgi and chwisgi are all used. Craythur is another term for whiskey in Ireland.

Popular types

• Scotch whisky
• Bourbon whiskey
• Canadian whisky
• Corn whiskey
• Irish whiskey
• Moonshine
• Rye whiskey
• Tennessee whiskey
• Welsh whisky

See also

• Whiskey Rebellion
• American Whiskey Trail
• Moonshine (illegal production of whiskey)

External links

• The Scotch Blog News and comment on the whisky industry
• Whisky Magazine
• Whiskyfun Tasting notes and fun
• ScotlandWhisky - a tourism site
• The Whisky Guide
• The Daily Dram Info for collectors and general news about rare whisky
• Ulf Buxrud A huge whisky links resource
• Malt Maniacs Whisky info for beginners to anoraks from twenty four international aficionados
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society An association of and for lovers of single malt scotch whisky