Whiskey (& Whisky)

Words by Simon Difford

Whiskey (& Whisky) image 1

The word ‘whiskey’ derives from the Gaelic ‘uisque beatha’, meaning ‘water of life’ and whiskies are distilled in countries around the world including Scotland, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. The spelling varies between countries with the ‘e’ either included or omitted (though ‘whiskey’ is the spelling for whiskies in general).

Each country traditionally produces a different style using slightly different methods. However, all whiskies are made from grain. A beer-like liquid called wash is fermented from the grain with the help of yeast and this is distilled to make a spirit. After a period of ageing in a wooden cask, this becomes a whiskey, which is then almost always blended with the contents of other casks to create the finished product.

The many flavours found in the different whiskies of the world are affected by the local water, type of grain, the way that grain is processed, the method of distillation, the ageing process and, of course, blending. Other factors, such as the yeast used, also play a part, but the key factors affecting flavour are explained below.

Water

Water is mixed with malted grain to make the beer from which the whiskey will be distilled. Most whiskies are distilled to around 60-80% alc./vol. and then reduced to their bottling strength through dilution. Water plays a key role in the whole process of whiskey making and forms such a high percentage of the finished product that it would be surprising if it did not contribute something to the flavour of the bottled whiskey. However, don't be fooled by marketeers' hype - a good proportion of that water is often processed tap water rather than trickling from a glen.

Grain

The type of grain used - whether rye, barley or corn - affects the flavour of the finished whiskey. A mix (mash bill) of different types of grain is commonly used to give the whiskey its desired character. The way the grain is dried has an equally dramatic effect on the flavour. A lightly heated or 'roasted' grain, when brewed, will produce a pale beer, while a heavily roasted grain with a charred husk will produce a dark beer.

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The flavour of the beer and so the whiskey can further be affected by the fuel used to produce the heat which dries the grain. The peated flavour synonymous with Scotch whisky is a result of peat or turf smoke passing through the grain. This imparts phenols which give the beer its smoky flavour.

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Distillation

The type of still used, the number of distillations and the strength to which the spirit is distilled during each distillation greatly affects the finished spirit. For instance, Scotch single malt whisky is almost always double distilled (two pot still distillations), while Irish pot still whiskey tends to be triple distilled so producing a lighter whiskey.

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Ageing (maturation)

The spirit leaving the still is crystal clear and lacks many of the complex flavours associated with whiskey. Much of the flavour and colour are imparted to the whiskey by ageing in oak casks (some caramel is also be added to enhance/standardise the whisky's colour). The type of oak cask, the length of ageing and even the temperature and humidity of the place where the casks are stored will contribute to the character of the whiskey.

For example, bourbon receives much of its characteristic sweetness and flavour from ageing in new charred oak casks. Once used these casks may then be shipped to the Irish or Scottish to age their whiskey. While U.S. law dictates that 'straight bourbon whiskey' must be aged in new charred oak barrels, the thrifty Scots and Irish refill these used American barrels at least three times, often then scrapping the insides, re-charring and using another three times.

How new or 'active' the wood and the amount of flavour it imparts to the spirit will greatly affect the character of the finished whiskey. The type of oak and size of cask will also influence the flavour.

Two different types of oak wood are typically used in whiskey maturation, American White Oak (used for bourbon production) and European Oak (synonymous with sherry). These two species of oak influence the spirit very differently with American oak imparting coconut and vanilla while European oak tends to give flavours of rich dried fruit cake, currents and dates.

The ageing process is the make or break of any whiskey. More flavour is imparted by this process than any other.

Blending

Even single-malt whiskies are blended from different barrels from the same distillery - although some producers now also make 'single cask/barrel whiskies'. The flavour of a finished product is created from a selection of different whiskies - and whiskies are sometimes aged again after blending.

Scottish whisky

There is no 'e' in the Scottish spelling of whiskey and it is only whiskey from Scotland which can be called 'Scotch'. Scotch whisky must be made in Scotland from cereal grains, yeast and water, be aged in oak casks with a capacity not exceeding 700 litres also in Scotland for a minimum of three years. There are five different categories of Scotch as follows:

Grain Scotch whisky - Made from malted and unmalted barley and other cereals (usually wheat) using continuous column still distillation.

Scotch Malt whisky - Made only from malted barley by batch pot still distillation. Malts are distilled in four areas of Scotland: The Highlands (and an area called Speyside within the Highlands), Campbeltown, Islands and Lowlands.

Single malt Scotch whisky - A malt whisky from one distillery that is unblended, hence the special characteristics imparted from that distillery's surroundings are evident. Although the whisky is from a 'single' distillery the bottled whisky will usually be a blend of different whiskies from the same distillery.

Blended Scotch whisky - Blended from a selection of different malt and grain whiskies to produce a consistent style.

Blended malt Scotch whisky (vatted malt) - A blend of single malt whiskies from various distilleries.

Irish whiskey

Irish whiskey (with an 'e') is produced from malted barley, cereals, water and yeast. Irish whisky must be aged in oak casks (usually ex-bourbon barrels or sherry seasoned casks) for at least five years. There are four styles of Irish whisky:

Pot still Irish whiskey - Usually (but not always) triple distilled from malted and unmalted barley using batch pot still distillation. As the name implies, 'single' pot still Irish whiskey is the product of one distillery.

Irish malt whiskey - Made from malted barley, Irish malt whiskies are generally distilled three times in a pot still (Connemara is only distilled twice), meaning that the spirit leaves the still at a much higher alcoholic strength than Scotch - often as high as 85% alc./vol.. Some distilleries produce a heavier whiskey by capturing more of the latter part of the distillate run during the third and final distillation.

Irish grain whiskey - Produced from cereal grain, usually corn (maize) with a little barley using continuous column distillation. Usually blended with pot still whisky, Irish grain whiskey is seldom bottled on its own.

Blended Irish whiskey - A blend of all the above, mostly grain whiskey with some pot still.

Bourbon & American whiskey

The first American whiskies were distilled in pot stills by Irish and Scottish settlers in the early 18th century.

Bourbon - is a specific category of America whiskey which may be made anywhere in the USA but 'Kentucky' bourbon must be made in Kentucky and perversely that is the only state which can be differentiated. Bourbon must have a mash bill with at least 51% corn (but not more than 79%) plus a flavouring grain - either wheat or rye - and a little malted barley (though there are no rules governing the quantities of these other grains). It must be must be distilled to a strength of not more than 80% alc./vol. and aged in new, charred oak barrels at 62.5% alc./vol. or less. It must be bottled at a minimum of 40% alc./vol. without any artificial flavours, colours or other alcohols. Surprisingly, there is no minimum age requirement for bourbon.

Rye whiskey - must be distilled from a mash containing a minimum of 51% rye grain coming off the still at no more than 80% alc./vol. and put into cask at 62.5% alc./vol. or less. Rye whiskey must be aged a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels.

Corn whiskey - made from mash of at least 80% corn distilled at less than 80% alc./vol. Corn whiskey may be aged in either new or used, charred or uncharred oak barrels and there is no minimum maturation period.

Tennessee whiskey - is a style of bourbon (though not termed bourbon) made in the state of Tennessee with the additional process of filtration through finely ground maple charcoal after distillation and prior to aging, known as 'charcoal-mellowing' or 'Lincoln County Process'. The best known Tennessee whiskey is Jack Daniel's.

Straight whiskey - be it 'straight bourbon whiskey', 'straight rye whiskey', 'straight corn whiskey' or 'straight Tennessee whiskey', a straight whiskey must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, charred oak casks. Any whiskey which has been aged for less than four years must state its age on the label.

Single barrel whiskey - are just that, the product of just one barrel of whiskey

Small batch whiskey - this suggests production in very limited quantities but as there is no recognised limit to the size of a batch, the term has little real meaning.

Canadian whisky

This style of whisky was created by 18th century Scottish immigrants who found their new home had plentiful and cheap grain. However, barley was not common so they reduced the amount of barley and added corn, wheat and rye instead. There is no legal restriction on the grains, or proportion of each grain used. The youngest whisky in a Canadian blend must be matured for a minimum of three years and the oldest a maximum of 18 years. The Canadians, like the Scottish, choose to omit the 'e' in the spelling.

Japanese whisky

Two men are regarded as the fathers of Japanese Whisky, Masataka Taketsuru and Shinjiro Torii. Taketsuru studied applied chemistry at Glasgow University and spent time working in Scotch whisky distilleries before returning home in 1920 with a Scottish bride and the secrets of whisky production. It was Torii, the founder of Suntory who provided the necessary finance for Taketsuru to use his knowledge to create the first modern Japanese whisky. Japanese whisky takes the Scottish spelling without the 'e'.

To summarise

There is a whiskey style to suit every drinker. Irish for those wanting a mellow spirit, Bourbon for those after a sweet, full-flavour and Scotch for those which enjoy its distinctive dry, peatyness. Within each category you will discover different styles, making experimentation with this spirit a joy.

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Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond image

Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 50

Evan Williams Extra Aged image

Evan Williams Extra Aged

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

Dewar's 12 Year Old Scotch whisky image

Dewar's 12 Year Old Scotch whisky

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Daddy Rack Tennessee Whiskey image

Daddy Rack Tennessee Whiskey

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

Maker's Mark bourbon image

Maker's Mark bourbon

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45

Highland Park 1978 Vintage image

Highland Park 1978 Vintage

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47.8

Lagavulin 16yo Islay single malt whisky image

Lagavulin 16yo Islay single malt whisky

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

Longrow CV image

Longrow CV

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

Inish Turk Beg Maiden Voyage image

Inish Turk Beg Maiden Voyage

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 44

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy image

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

Auchentoshan 1975 Limited Edition image

Auchentoshan 1975 Limited Edition

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46.9

Hakushu 12YO Single Malt Whisky image

Hakushu 12YO Single Malt Whisky

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43.5

Highland Park 18 Year Old image

Highland Park 18 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

Talisker 25 Year Old image

Talisker 25 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 54.8

Glenfarclas 1957 image

Glenfarclas 1957

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 54

Suntory Hibiki 30 year old image

Suntory Hibiki 30 year old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 43

Glengoyne 40 Year Old image

Glengoyne 40 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 45.9

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 (bottled 2010 image

The Glenlivet Cellar Collection 1973 (bottled 2010

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 55.9

Hakushu Single Malt Bourbon Barrel image

Hakushu Single Malt Bourbon Barrel

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 48.2

Highland Park 21 Year Old image

Highland Park 21 Year Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 47.5

High West Double Rye! Whiskey image

High West Double Rye! Whiskey

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

High West 21 Year Rocky Mountain Rye image

High West 21 Year Rocky Mountain Rye

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 46

Ardbeg Alligator 2011 image

Ardbeg Alligator 2011

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 51.2

The Dalmore 40 Years Old image

The Dalmore 40 Years Old

Category: Spirits
Sub category: Whisk(e)y
alc./vol: 40

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