Everything you wanted to know about whisky but were afraid to ask!
About Whisky
Cask Sizes
When you buy a bottle of whisky it may state the type of cask or barrel that has been used during maturation on the label. This is especially likely on an independent bottling company’s label. But what does the type and size of the cask really tell us? The most basic thing to remember is …
How whisky is made
What exactly gives each different Scotch Malt its distinctive aroma and taste is shrouded in mystery, indeed the process has been described as a “wild, weird alchemy”. MALTING This is the first stage in the process. The barley is harvested in the field and then taken to the maltings. Here it is steeped in water …
Scotch Whisky Regions
There are six major regions of whisky production in Scotland and each region has it’s own general characteristics. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule but here I will explain these basic regional characteristics and this may help you to select which style of whisky will suit your taste. Within each region, each distillery …
The history of Bourbon
As one might expect, the history of bourbon is a little sketchy. Many important dates are disputed, many were forgotten (a few on purpose) and still more may have become hazy due to the nature of the subject at hand. In an attempt to create a picture of bourbon whiskey’s heritage, especially that in Kentucky, …
The history of Irish Whiskey
The art of distilling is believed to have been brought to Europe through Irish missionary monks. The knowledge of distilling spread through the Church and eventually reached beyond the monastery walls. The oldest licensed whisky distillery in the world, Bushmills, lies in Northern Ireland and received its license by Jacob VI in 1608. Irish whiskey …
The influence of wood on whisky
The art of making whisky casks is a highly skilled and traditional practice called coopering. Nowadays, modern machinery aids the cooper (the name given to someone who makes casks and barrels) but it still takes years of training to reach the required industry standards. The oak trees are only cut down when they have reached …
Types of Whisky
Single Malt Whisky Single malt whisky is whisky distilled at a single distillery. Malted barley, the only cereal ingredient, and water, is fermented and then distilled using a pot still, batch distillation process. The resultant spirit after distillation is filled into oak casks, which could have originally held bourbon or sherry. To be called Single …
Whisky Words
Age statement When made, the age statement is the age of the youngest component of the whisky that is in the bottle – it doesn’t matter if that component is <1%. Amylase The enzyme that converts starch into maltose in the mash tun. Angels Share The whisky that is lost to the angels due to …
A short history of scotch
1494 – The first documented record of distilling in Scotland, when an entry in the Exchequer Rolls listed “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor wherewith to make aqua vitae” (water of life). 1644 – The first taxation measures are introduced by the Scottish Parliament with the introduction of a Malt Tax. The legislation …
