Discover the essentials of Whisky, even if you don’t know your bourbon from your scotch.
Whisky comes in a wide variety of flavours and aromas.
It might be somewhat challenging to know where to begin; whether you are a whiskey enthusiast or just looking for the perfect gift for a whisky lover, it can be hard to know where to start.
The best thing to do is explore until you know what you like.
Understanding Whisky
Whiskeys are made from malted grains such as malted barley, maize, rye, wheat, etc.
Whisky is nearly always matured in barrels ranging from a few years to decades and is produced all around the globe.
With such a large market, virtually everyone will discover a brand or style that they enjoy.
When asked, every whisky enthusiast has a strong opinion on which whiskey is the best.
Whisky Categories To Know
Scottish whiskey is divided into five categories, each with its own fantastic options.
On the other hand, some have a higher level of consistency in terms of quality.
The following are the many kinds and their definitions:
Single Malt Whiskies
This is a single distillery whisky produced entirely of malted barley.
When compared to the other forms of Scotch whiskey, single malts are lauded (and rightfully so).
Blended Malt Whisky
This whiskey comprises malted barley from two or more distilleries.
Single Grain
If whiskey isn’t created from malted barley, it’s classified as “grain” under Scotch whisky legislation, which almost often implies corn (maize) or wheat.
Blended Grain
Like blended malt, blended grain whiskey is prepared from wheat or maize and manufactured by one distillery or more distilleries.
Blended whiskey is a blend of malt and grain whisky from two or more whisky distillery, and it is the most popular form of whisky worldwide.
In principle, adding a little malt whiskey softens the terrible harshness.
It makes it easier to drink because grain whisky is simple to create in industrial numbers, but the quality isn’t always superb.
Whisky Tasting Notes And Different Flavour Profiles
Smoky
Unless the malted grains have been dried with smoke, most whiskey barrels will have some amount of char on the interior, where the malt gets its smokey flavour.
Try Old Pulteney Scotch Whisky, Douglas Laing’s Hakushu Rock Island Scotch, Ledaig Single malt whisky, Paul John Peated Cask, or The Balvenie Peat Week if you’re looking for a smoky malt.
Sweet Notes
Whisky may be sweet in several different ways.
Caramel and vanilla notes may be added by oak wood, fruity notes can be added by particular grains, and sweet notes can be added by peat.
If you get to know your whiskey a little better, you’ll be able to appreciate the subtleties of the sweetness.
Suntory Toki, Kilbeggan Single Grain, BenRiach, Dewar’s White Label, Elijah Craig, or Tullamore DEW are excellent choices for rich, fruity sweetness.
Glen Moray is ideal for a more floral taste.
Smooth Creamy Flavour Profile
Smoothness is generally determined by how thoroughly the malt was distilled and how long it was aged.
The longer the whisky sits on the shelf, the smoother it becomes.
Try Auchentoshan, Teeling, Red Breast, or Jameson if you want something smooth. Glenmorangie, Glenlivet, Naked Grouse, Penderyn, and Macallan are more full-bodied and creamy malts.
Peated
This is one of the most prominent flavours in Scotch whiskey, and it is either loved or despised.
When the grains are dried with peat smoke, the flavours are given.
Because Islay is known for its peated malts, try the Islay whisky malts produced there, particularly Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Bruichladdich. Highland Park, Tomintoul 15-Year-Old, Compass Box Great King Street, and Nikka Pure Malt are some of the best Islay whiskies.
Spicy Blends
Spicy notes, like sweet notes, may arise from various sources.
Again, peat may give spice, but oak barrels, particularly those previously held sherry or bourbon, can impart spicy aromas.
Whisky Options For Beginners
Although your taste doesn’t like the flavour and aroma, it is delicate and easily fixed.
As with Wine, each whisky has its own unique taste.
Try to separate taste from sensation because your palate becomes accustomed to the naturally burning Scotch over time.
The distinction between taste and smell can help determine what you like and dislike to influence buying decisions.
Final Thoughts
To find out the perfect whisky, try a whiskey tasting with friends and family.
Once you begin to understand the flavour profile of the different types of whisky, join a whisky club and explore various bottles and different flavours.
