Whiskey, bourbon, or scotch what is the difference?

Whiskey ignites a passion for itself, unlike any other spirit. Sure, people appreciate all types of drinks, but rarely do you find a group of people discussing the nuances of vodka. Once you realize not all whiskey is the same, it took me a while to figure out, is when the adventure begins.

Whiskey excites you to try new expressions, but if you are at the start of your journey, the liquor store can be a bit intimidating. There are bourbons, scotches, Irish whiskey, Canadian whiskey, stuff you can't pronounce, and in a variety of price ranges. Where do you even start?

First, let's break down the different types of whiskey. Understanding the difference between the styles helped me make sense of what is on the shelves.

Second, understand that one type of whiskey is not better than the other, despite what people might tell you. The best whiskey is what you like.

Third, price is not the sole judge of quality. There are some great whiskeys available that won't break the bank.

Alright, lets jump in.

Whiskey.

Is defined as a spirit that is distilled from grains and aged in an oak barrel. The primary grains used are corn, barley, rye, and wheat, but others are being experimented with. Spirits made from potatoes, fruits, or syrups are not whiskey.

There are more types of whiskey than what this article will cover, but I will knock out the main ones. Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Single Malt, Scotch, Irish Whiskey, and Canadian Whiskey are the categories I'll discuss today. Noticed I said category because all of these are whiskey.

Bourbon.

It can only be made in America. Anywhere in America, regardless of what your Kentucky neighbor told you. There are some other specifics as well, such as the mashbill has to be at least 51% corn, and it must be aged in new charred oak barrels. There is not a required length of time, but the rules of distillation are as follows. It is distilled to a maximum of 80 percent ABV and aged in new charred oak barrels. It can not be put into the barrel at more than 62.5 percent (125 proof) ABV and bottled at a minimum of 40 percent (80 proof) ABV. No coloring or other ingredients can be added. Ok, so what does all of that mean? The distillation requirements can be a bit confusing until you become familiar with the process. You need to understand that Bourbon has to be at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and cannot be bottled below 80 proof. The old saying is all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.

Scotch.

It can only be made in Scotland, with five different types coming from five or six regions depending on who you ask. The five types of Scotch are Single Malts, Single Grains, Blended Malts, Blended Scotch, and Blended Grain. Whisky must be aged a minimum of three years in an oak container located in Scotland to be considered Scotch. While single malts are the most sought after don't discount the others. Note, not all Scotch uses peat, but I'll dive deeper into Scotch in another article.

Single Malt Whiskey.

Wait a minute, isn't a single malt whiskey a Scotch? Only if it is distilled and aged in Scotland. Distilleries worldwide produce whiskey from 100% malted barley, but since they are not in Scotland, it has to be called a single malt. Each country has different requirements for a whiskey to receive this distinction. Check out Westland, Andalusia Whiskey Co, or Brenne for some great single malts.

Rye Whiskey.

Rye whiskey is where the primary grain is rye. Typically considered a whiskey with more spice than others. At one point, it was the most popular whiskey in America, but prohibition and other factors caused its downward slide. Thanks to the growing interest in craft cocktails, it is starting to see a resurgence.

Irish Whiskey.

You guessed it can only be made in Ireland. Mostly known for its triple distillation and single-pot Irish whiskey. Single Pot Irish Whiskey is a mixture of malted and unmalted barley. However, they do make single malts and grain whiskeys.

Canadian Whisky.

It is a bit complicated. Mostly using rye grains, they take a different approach to making whiskey than about anyone else. They create two distinct and separate whiskys a Blending and a Flavoring whisky. They are distilled and aged separately and then blended together for bottling. The blending whisky is usually distilled to a higher proof to provide the punch. The flavoring whisky is at a lower proof to give it..well the flavor. This gives the blenders a lot of flexibility to create some new and tasty whiskys.

This gives you an idea of how each of these styles differs from each other. Within each category, there is an array of flavor profiles. Not all bourbons or Scotch are the same and will vary depending on the region and distillery. Explore and find what excites you.

Until next time cheers!

Jake