It’s no surprise that most people associate whiskey with the United States. The country is synonymous with the spirit, and it has played a central role in its development. The first commercially produced whiskey was distilled in America, and American ingenuity has led to some truly innovative methods of storing, ageing, and drinking whiskey ever since.
Whisky fans around the world know it as well, which is why there are now so many different types of whisky on offer. No matter your taste, there’s a likely chance that you’ve never even heard of some brands before.
What is Whisky?
Whisky is the generic name for any type of liquor distilled from fermented grains. While whiskey can be made from many types of grains, barley is the most common. Grains like wheat, rye, corn, and rye are also used, although rye is less common. Rye is also harder to ddistilthan other grains, so it’s less common in the United States. When grains and yeast are brought together, a naturally occurring yeast is also added. This yeast takes the sugar in the grains and converts it into alcohol. Most of the sugar is gone, leaving only a small amount that is repackaged as “booze.”
Whiskey History
Whisky has a long and interesting history. The first written record of whisky dates back to the 10th century when the Arabs introduced it to Europe. At that time, whisky was simply water that had been flavoured with herbs and spices. The word “whisky” likely comes from the Gaelic “’aqua vitae’,” or “water of life.”
In those days, water was the main source of drinkable liquids, so those who tasted it deemed it the “water of life.” The first place to produce commercially distilled whisky, however, isn’t too clear. Many people think that it was Scotland because the Scots were the first to make whisky a commercial activity.
Ireland and the Americans, on the other hand, were the first to produce a style of whisky that is known today as Bourbon.
Irish Whiskey
Irish Whiskey is a type of whisky that is distilled from malted and unmalted barley that has been grown in Ireland. It’s one of the most popular types of whisky in the world, especially in the United States.
Irish Whiskey is distinguished from Scotch, American, and other types of whisky in that it’s aged in wooden barrels. Other types of whisky are aged in steel, which is a more modern method of storing and ageing liquor. Irish Whiskey is most often blended with a neutral grain spirit like neutral grain Irish Whiskey.
Blended Irish Whiskey has a lot of flavours imparted by the neutral grain because it’s a large portion of the liquid that’s made up of the neutral spirit. The fflavourof the whiskey is much more subtle because it’s a smaller portion of the blend.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky is one of the most popular types of whisky in the world. It’s called Scotch for short, and it’s what most people think of when they hear the word whisky. Scotch is the most common type of whisky in Scotland. Scotch Whisky is distinguished from Irish and American Whisky in that it’s aged in wood barrels.
Scotch also uses only malted and unmalted barley in the mash. Scotch is also known as a single-malt whisky. Single malt refers to the fact that only one type of barley is used. This is unlike American whiskey, which is usually a blend of various types of whiskey and is therefore a blend of various types of barley.
Single malt whiskies can be very different in taste depending on where they’re distilled. For example, scotch whisky is known as single malt scotch if it’s distilled in Scotland, but single grain scotch if it’s distilled in Canada.
Japanese Whisky
Whisky is a very popular spirit all over the world, but one of the places it has become especially well-known in Japan. It’s not surprising that Japanese people like it since it’s unique in many ways compared to other whiskies. One of the ways it stands out is in the way it’s distilled.
Whisky is distilled at a low proof, but Japanese whisky is aged at a much higher proof, making it smoother and more complex. Japanese whisky is also aged in wood barrels, which is unusual for whisky because most types of whisky are aged in steel.
One of the most popular Japanese whiskies is Suntory’s Yamazaki 12-Year-Old. It’s unique because it’s a blend of different whiskies from different distilleries. This means that you’re getting a chance to taste several different types of whisky in one bottle.
Filipino Whisky
Like Japanese whisky, Filipino whisky is unique among whiskeys in that it’s distilled from fresh coconut sap. It’s made from fermented coconut sap that’s been distilled down to a liquor.
Filipino whisky is typically aged in oak barrels, which is unusual for whisky because most types of whisky are aged in steel. This is because oak barrels make cask-aged whisky, which is usually bottled at a lower proof. The best-known Filipino whisky is San Miguel, which is a blended whisky.
San Miguel is so well-known that the name alone is enough to convince people that they’re getting something special. You can also try some other popular Filipino whiskies, like Millington Single Malt or My Friend Single Malt.
Mexican Whisky
Like Japanese whisky and Filipino whisky, Mexican whisky is unique for its unique ingredients. Most types of whisky are made from malt and yeast, but Mexican whisky is made from the hearts of agave plants that are known as piñas.
Another way Mexican whisky is different from other types of whisky is that it’s aged in neutral barrels. Most types of whisky are aged in steel, which is soon to be aged in whiskey.
This is the most expensive type of whisky, but it’s worth trying because it’s different from other types of whisky. You can try some other Mexican whiskies, like Jose Cuervo, if you’d like to try a cheaper type of Mexican whisky.
Conclusion
Whisky is a fascinating beverage with a rich history. With so many different types of whisky, you’re likely to find one that suits your taste buds. Whisky is often aged in wood barrels, but you can also try fresh whisky, like Irish Whiskey, Japanese whisky, or Filipino whisky. Explore the many fflavoursand varieties of whisky and enjoy the artful beverage.
