If you’ve been to the United States, chances are you’ve tasted whiskey. It is estimated that more than 100 million gallons of whiskey are produced every year in the U.S., with a vast majority being produced in Tennessee and Kentucky. But if you’re planning a trip to Europe any time soon, here are 10 visual distilleries you should add to your itinerary!
The process of making whiskey involves fermenting grains like malted barley and wheat with yeast, filtering out impurities, and then distilling the grain mash to yield pure alcohol. But where does this liquor come from? Well, not all countries produce their whisky; instead, some rely on imported whisky as well as local craft distilleries.
If you have never visited an American distillery before, it may be difficult to distinguish one from another without knowing what to look out for. But if you’re planning a trip to Europe any time soon, here are 10 visual distilleries you should add to your itinerary!
Ireland
Whiskey has been popular in Ireland since the 17th century when Irish monks started distilling it as a way to make medicinal whiskey. Today, whiskey is still one of the most popular spirits in Ireland, and it is especially popular in the Irish diaspora, including communities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
The Irish whiskey industry is a relatively small and young one, compared to some other countries such as Scotland, where whiskey has been produced since the Middle Ages. Ireland is known as the “home of whiskey” due to the large number of distilleries there, as well as the popularity of Irish whiskey.
The Irish whiskey industry is only about 80 years old and is still in its early stages of growth. However, many exciting things are happening in the Irish whiskey industry.
There is currently a growing trend for small-batch and single-barrel Irish whiskeys, as well as a surge in the availability of Irish single-malt whiskey. Irish whiskey is also gaining popularity outside of Ireland, with exports increasing by about 20% per year.
Scotland
Scotland is well known for its gin, but now, whiskey is also gaining popularity in Scotland. Scottish whiskey is mainly produced in the Scottish Highlands and is a blend of aged grain whiskies and grain spirit. The grain whiskies used in Scottish whisky production come from a variety of sources, but the main ingredients are malted barley, corn, and rye.
Scotch whisky is aged in oak barrels and then bottled at a specific, regulated age. Currently, the most popular type of Scotch whisky is single malt Scotch whisky, which is only made from one type of grain whisky. Scotch whisky is a very complex beverage. It has many flavours, including peat, smoke, vanilla, and caramel.
Scotch whisky also has many varieties, including blended scotch whisky, single malt scotch whisky, and blended malt scotch whisky. Scotch whisky is very different from Irish whiskey and American whiskey.
The main difference is that Scotch whisky is made from only malted barley and fermented barley, whereas Irish whiskey is made from fermented grains, and then distilled the same way as American whiskey.
Spain
Whiskey has been produced in Spain for centuries, and the most popular type of Spanish whiskey is aged in wood barrels, known as “solera.” The most common types of Spanish whiskey are sherry-matured sherry aged in American oak barrels, brandy-matured sherry, and Pedro Ximenez-matured sherry. Spanish brandy is also popular, which is a distilled spirit made of wine.
The most popular types of Spanish brandy are amontillado and oloroso, which are aged in Pedro Ximenez oak barrels. Spanish brandy is made from a variety of grapes, such as Pedro Ximenez, amontillado, and Moscatel. Grapes are the source of sugar for fermentation and are then distilled into brandy.
Spanish brandy is not aged like Scotch whisky, Irish whiskey, or American whiskey; it is made from undistilled grapes. Spanish brandy is often used as a mixer for cocktails.
Belgium
Belgium is also well-known for its gin, but it is now also a hub for whiskey production. The two most popular types of Belgian whiskey are single malt and blended. Single malt whiskies are produced from a single type of grain. Blended whiskies are made from a blend of different types of grain.
The best way to enjoy Belgian whiskey is with a Belgian beer, such as a Trappist ale or a strong brown ale. Belgian whiskey is also blended with orange or lemon juice to add a refreshing flavour.
Germany
Germany has a long history of beer brewing, but it is only in the last few decades that German whiskey has become a popular drink. The two most popular types of German whiskey are pot still whiskeys, which are distilled from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, and bourbon-style whiskeys, which are made from a mix of American, Irish, and Scottish grain.
German whiskey is distilled from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, like Irish whiskey. Unlike Scotch whisky, German whiskey is not matured in oak barrels, so it has a lighter flavour. German whiskey is also often blended with other types of liquor, such as dark rum.
Netherlands
The Dutch have long been famous for their beer, but they’re now emerging as a new hub for whiskey production in Europe. The two most popular types of Dutch whiskey are pot still whiskeys, which are distilled from a mix of malted and unmalted barley, and bourbon-style whiskeys, which are made from a mix of American, Irish, and Scottish grain.
The best way to enjoy Dutch whiskey is with a Dutch beer, such as a wheat beer or a brown ale. Dutch whiskey is distilled from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, like Irish whiskey. Unlike Scotch whisky, Dutch whiskey is not matured in oak barrels, so it has a lighter flavour. Dutch whiskey is also often blended with other types of liquor, such as dark rum.
Italy
Italian whiskey is one of the most popular whiskeys in Europe, and it is also made from an unusual mix of malted and unmalted barley, as well as rye. The two most popular types of Italian whiskey are blended and single malts, which are produced from a blend of different malted and unmalted barley whiskies.
Italian whiskey is distilled from a blend of malted and unmalted barley whiskies, like Irish whiskey. Unlike Scotch whisky, Italian whiskey is not matured in oak barrels, so it has a lighter flavour. Italian whiskey is also often blended with other types of liquor, such as dark rum.
Greece
Whiskey is one of the most popular spirits in Greece, and it is made from an unusual mix of malted and unmalted barley, as well as corn. The two most popular types of Greek whiskey are blended and single malts, which are produced from a blend of different malted and unmalted barley whiskies.
Greek whiskey is distilled from a blend of malted and unmalted barley whiskies, like Irish whiskey. Unlike Scotch whisky, Greek whiskey is not matured in oak barrels, so it has a lighter flavour. Greek whiskey is also often blended with other types of liquor, such as dark rum.
Visual Distilleries: Conclusion
If you’re planning a trip to the United States, you’re most likely to visit a distillery in Tennessee or Kentucky.
But you need to remember that whiskey is produced in many countries all over the world, and there are a lot of amazing visual distilleries in Europe you need to visit!
