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We’ve covered Gin, Rum, Brandy & Vodka. Now let’s talk about Whiskey.

The name “whiskey” is derived from the phrase “water of life” and is made by distilling malted barley and other grains and aging the resulting alcohol in oak casks. The five major whiskey producers in the world are Scotland, the United States, Ireland, Canada and Japan.

Whiskey can also be spelled “whisky” - and is how it is commonly spelled in Scotland, Canada & Japan. The Irish and Americans spell theirs with an extra “e”. It’s also said that the Scots jealously guard the spelling whisky for their own product and I’m not one for incurring Scottish wrath so neither should you. Samuel L. Jackson was so cool in Formula 51 ….

Whiskey is very expressive of the regions that it comes from as well as the ingredients used to make it. It can be a simple distilled mash of cereals, yeast and water - and it can also be a complicated drink based on a host of different factors.

To keep this post short and sweet for you - dear reader - I’m to break it down by region, focusing on the major characteristics.

Scotland: Whiskey oops thats whisky! made in Scotland is more commonly referred to as Scotch. Scotch can either be single or blended malt. Blended scotches are several different malts and neutral grain whiskys mixed together from a variety of distilleries. The single malt’s are just that, single and made in one distillery. There is however a distinctive difference in flavor between the two as you can infer from the way they are made.

Some to try.

Single Malt: Glenfiddich, Glenlivet
Blended Scotch: Johnnie Walker Black, Cutty Sark, Dewars

American Whiskey: Thank the British and Irish for introducing whiskey to America back in the 18th century. The first American whiskeys were made with barley and rye, with the aim of imitating European whiskey. Then a group of distillers in Bourbon County, Kentucky began producing their own whiskey from corn - and thus Bourbon was born. Along with bourbon, Tennessee whiskeys are considered the best of the best. Tennessee whiskey differs from bourbon because it is run through charcoal for an unmatched smoothness. Bourbon on the other hand is matured in charred barrels instead of direct contact with charcoals.

Some to try:

Bourbon: Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark
Tennessee Whiskey: Jack Daniels - all you really need here anyways.

Ireland: Irish whiskey is similar to Scotch whisky, except that no peat is used in the kilns to cook it - eliminating the heavy smoky flavor found in scotch. Irish whiskey is also the only whiskey subjected to triple distillation - and that means smooth.

Some to try: Bushmill’s, Jameson, Murphy and Paddy - a fine bunch of gentlemen.

Canada: Canadian whiskys are made from blends of different grains - corn, wheat, barley. Canadian whiskys also have a reputation of being some of the lightest body whiskeys around - but don’t underestimate Canadian whiskey just because it’s easy going. Canadian blenders are masters of their art.

Some to try: Crown Royal (especially VO 8 yr old), Canadian Club, Black Velvet

Japan: Japan is the youngest of all the whisky producing nations. Their first distillery was founded in 1923. Japanese whisky production has really taken off in the last 30 years. The model for Japanese whisky is single malt scotch, and Suntory is their largest distiller.

Some to try: Suntory Reserve, Nikka Yoichi 10 yr. old