Whiskey
Whiskey is a spirit produced from the distillation of grain. Debate still rages about whether the Irish Celts or Scots were the first to produce the “water of life,” but the first written recording of whiskey’s creation dates to 15th century Scotland. Origin isn’t the only debate concerning whiskey. Spelling is contentious, too. When distilled in Scotland, Canada, and Japan, it is spelled whisky without the e, while whiskey distilled in Ireland and the United States is most often, but not always, spelled with the e. Technically, whiskey is a distilled spirit produced from a fermented grain mash, distilled to no more than 190 proof, and bottled at no less than 80 proof. All whiskey, with the exception of corn whiskey and “white” whiskey, must be aged for some period of time in oak containers. Whiskey is classified by country of origin (i.e. Canadian whisky) and may be further defined by the type of grain used (i.e. rye whiskey) or the way it is produced (i.e. single malt).
Top Whiskey Posts:
The Top 10 Whiskeys of 2018
The Top 10 Whiskeys of 2017
All About Dusties: 1970s vs. 2018 Bourbon Tasted Side by Side
Top 10 Bourbons Under $20
What Grains are Used to Make Whiskey (And Why?)
From Barrel To Bottle: How Wood Aging Impacts Whiskey
Recently we covered the bold relaunch of Benriach, which ditched its complicated and seemingly ever-changing lineup now that master blender Rachel Barrie is running the show. Benriach originally relaunched with four core expressions — two ...
Located in Speyside, Dufftown carries more than its fair share of quality distilleries, including some of our favorites: Balvenie, Glenfiddich, and Mortlach. The city claims to produce a more single malt than any other city ...
Egan’s Irish Whiskey Legacy Reserve line is now an annual incarnation, and in year three it’s gained yet another year of age statement, bringing it up to 17 years old from its original 15. After ...
Previously we reviewed Pinhook’s Bohemian Bourbon High Proof 2020 release, but this is the standard, 47.5% abv version, which actually arrived later in 2020. It’s still made from a mash of 75% corn, 15% rye, ...
When a humble sample of a 16 year old Laphroaig bottled at cask strength appears at your door after 3 ice storms in 6 days, you know someone, somewhere is looking out for you. Time ...
Lost Lantern got its start by putting together a wild blend of American craft distillery whiskeys, but lately it’s setting its feet further afield, offering single cask releases of non-blended stock from a variety of ...
The hip little mountain town of Floyd, Virginia (famous for the annual FloydFest music festival) has a storied moonshining history. It sits next to Franklin County, dubbed “the moonshine capital of the world,” but according ...
In 14 years of Drinkhacking, we’ve enjoyed plenty of drams of Dewar’s, but somehow have never put pen to paper when it comes to reviewing the most essential whiskies in the lineup. If you don’t ...
Owned by Chivas/Pernod Ricard, Glentauchers isn’t generally the first single malt on the tips of tongues when surveying the landscape of Speyside. Its primary function serves as a cornerstone of Pernod’s global juggernaut Ballantine’s. Occasionally ...
Adventurous Stills began distilling in Tempe, Arizona in 2015 with a can-do, pioneer attitude toward their spirits. Everything they bottle is grain-to-glass, distilled and aged on site using a custom-fabricated mash tun and two hand-fabricated ...
