Whiskey is one of the most popular distilled spirits in the world. The word ‘whiskey’ is the translation of the Gaelic word, ‘uisge beathe’, which translates to ‘water for life’. The spirit originated in Scotland with the earliest records of whiskey production found in a 1494 document.
Whiskey Making
Whiskey is made out of fermented grain mash. Several grains like wheat, barley, corn, and rye can be used to make the spirit. Pot stills made of copper or stainless steel with copper lining is used to produce whiskey, after which it is aged in wooden casks. Copper has an important role in distillation, as it removes sulfur-based compounds from alcohol.
Pot still resembles the traditional pots and the alcohol is collected inside its receptacle. Column still is another common vessel used in the production of whiskeys like Bourbon.
The maturity of whiskey is determined by the time between distillation to bottling. In the case of whiskey, extra aging may not necessarily imply that its quality is improved. Extra aging may even inhibit flavors in some cases. Premium brands of Whiskey like the Johnnie Walker Blue Label are known for their hearty fragrance and flavor profile.
Countries Engaged In Whiskey Making
Scotland is the first country that began whiskey making. Isle of Islay, Cambeltown and the Highlands are the principal producing areas in Scotland. Many countries are now involved in whiskey production. Canada and Japan are a few examples.
What Are The Different Types Of Whiskey?
Two major types of whiskey are malt whiskey and grain whiskey. The former is made from malt and the latter is made from grains. Whiskey is classified into the following according to the place where it is made.
Scotch Whiskey
It is made in Scotland either from malt or grain. Scotland has strict regulations for whiskey production in order to ensure that nothing less than the highest quality whiskeys are made in the country. The spirit is aged in oak barrel for a minimum of three years.
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is known for its smoother flavor when compared to other forms of whiskey. Malt is used as the starting material for the whiskey. It is distilled using water and caramel coloring and kept in wooden casks for not less than 3 years.
Japanese Whiskey
Japanese whiskey is known for its high standards and taste. The style of Japanese whiskey is comparable to that of the Scotch whiskey.
There are more types of whiskeys available in the stores like Bourbon whiskey, Canadian whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey being some among them.