How Are They Made?
Whisky
Malt Whisky
Only 3 ingredients are used in the production of malt whisky: water, yeast and malted barley. A 'single malt' is a malt whisky from a single distillery and a ‘blended malt’ is the product of several distilleries.
The flavour and character of malts will be influenced by a number of factors including the water source, the influence of peat, the shape of the stills, the type of wooden cask used, the time and location in storage and, essentially, the skill of the distillery's craftsmen.
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Blended Scotch Whisky
Blended whisky is a blend of malt whisky and grain spirit (made from unmalted cereals such as maize and wheat). The quality of the blend will depend heavily on the skill of the Master Blender and is a careful and judicious combination of anything from fifteen to fifty single whiskies of varying ages, compiled to a highly secret formula.
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Irish Whiskey
An Irish whiskey can also be a malt or a blend, but the key differences from Scotch varieties are that normally the malted whiskey is triple distilled and that mainly unpeated barley is used in the process. This is why Irish whiskey has a reputation for smooth and lighter styles of whiskies.
Bourbon
Bourbon is usually made with a combination of three grains and is named after Bourbon County in Kentucky where the first bourbons were made. Other styles of American whiskey include Rye Whiskey (made mainly from Rye) and Tennessee Sour Mash - such as Jack Daniel’s - that uses a combination of barley, corn and rye.
Age
Maturation is an essential part of whisky production; the whisky becomes smoother, takes on different flavours and draws its golden colour from the different types of cask used. All Scotch and Irish whiskies must be matured in cask for at least 3 years; single malts are usually aged for 10 years or more. The age that is displayed on the bottle will be the age spent in cask by the youngest whisky used in production. Unlike wine, the whisky does not change in character once bottled.
Regions
Although whisky is produced all over the world, the majority of malt whiskies are produced in Scotland.
There are around 100 distilleries in Scotland of which the vast majority can be found in the Highlands. Speyside is a region of the East highlands where there is the greatest concentration of distilleries in the world. Other important regions are the Lowlands and the Islands such as Islay, which typically produces very powerful, peaty styles.
Whisky or Whiskey?
It's quite simple really - the Scots spell it Whisky; the Americans and the Irish with an 'e'...
How to drink whisky
Traditionally, whiskies were drunk neat or with a dash of water 'to release the flavours'. However, whisky drinking should be a fun and pleasurable experience, so we recommend drinking the way you feel you'll get the most pleasure!
There are no rules or codes of conduct with whisky - if you like to savour it neat or with ice then do so; if you want a longer drink then try mixing with water, soda or perhaps ginger ale. Remember that the occasion can also change how you drink, but regardless of whether its stylish pre-dinner cocktails or winter warming hot toddies, whisky can be enjoyed in many different ways throughout the year!
Meet The Distiller
- Whyte & Mackay distiller Richard Paterson gives an insight into his world and offers advice on the best way to taste whisky.
- Find out about malt whisky and its producing regions
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