Whiskey is a highly diverse, distilled spirit that people worldwide enjoy. However, not many are aware of its various styles that distinguish one from the other. Essentially, all types of whiskeys are distilled from malted grains like wheat, corn, barley, and rye. It is also always aged in barrels from a few years to even decades. The vast whiskey market ensures that every individual discovers a style they enjoy. You can find a gin distillery offering a rye whiskey made from selectively sourced rare malted rye and malted barley from malt houses. These are air-dried for 36 months in the gin distillery. Take a look at the essential characteristics of each whiskey style below.
Irish Whiskey
Table of Contents
People widely regard it as the father of all whiskey. They are produced in Ireland and combine pot-stilled, unmalted and malted whiskeys. The unique blend and how Irish whiskey malt gets dried in a closed and secure kiln differentiates it from scotch. Manufacturers exercise much caution during distillation to maintain a low temperature. This is to prevent the sweet and toastie flavour of the whiskey from breaking. Irish whiskey is aged for three years and utilised in wine casks or bourbon barrels. It can also be aged for a lengthier period, which impacts its price and smoothness.
Scotch Whiskey
Scotch whiskey is a style of whiskey popular in Scotland. The whiskey is derived from malted barley, fermented with yeast and distilled. There are five types of this whiskey. They include the following.
- Single malt scotch whiskey – It’s produced at a single distillery using malted barley. Whiskey experts regard it as a high-end scotch, and just 10 per cent of scotch whiskey constitutes single malt.
- Blended malt scotch whiskey – It’s a combination of various batches of one malt scotch whiskey from multiple distilleries.
- Single grain scotch whiskey – Water, malted barley and whole grains of unmalted and malted cereals are the primary ingredients of this whiskey. It is distilled at a single distillery.
- Blended grain scotch whiskey – It’s a mix of grain scotch and alt scotch whiskey. This type of whiskey gets distilled at any number of distilleries.
Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon is a barrel-aged, corn-based whiskey style. A considerable portion of this drink gets produced in Kentucky. Bourbon should comprise at least 51 per cent corn, with other kinds of grain whiskeys making up the remaining part. This whiskey should get distilled at 80 per cent ABV or 160 proof. Bourbon gets aged for at least two years in charred oak barrels. Usually, it’s aged for a much lengthier period than that. Manufacturers can only use bourbon barrels once. So, other liquor producers get them after the initial use. Bourbon is the preferred choice for mixed drinks. It’s a versatile whiskey that easily blends in different types of beverages.
Rye Whiskey
Rye has a distinct flavour profile and is made like Bourbon. Like Bourbon, a usual rye mash consists of some ‘sour mash’ from the prior production cycle mixed back to it. It ensures the consistency of yeast and flavour. However, rye has a distinct and assertive flavour, which kicks in your palate with a significant level of spiciness. It also has touches of vanilla and caramel from the barrels. Further, it showcases various other flavours according to how it is aged. You can find a white rye whiskey from a good gin distillery that’s distilled from rare barley and malted rye. Such a whiskey has inviting floral notes, which stimulates the senses.
These were some of the key whiskey styles that everyone looking to explore this drink should know. With the rise in distilleries and distilled spirits, there are more options in whiskey available now than ever. But, you should always find one that uniquely aligns with your taste.
