For other uses, see Whisky (disambiguation).

What Is Whisk(e)y?

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In most grain growing areas a whisky or whisky-like product is produced. They differ in alcoholic content, base product and quality.

Scotch whiskies are generally distilled twice and must be aged in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks.

Irish whiskeys are generally distilled three times and must be aged for three years in oak casks.

American Straight whiskeys must be made using a mash bill that consists of at least 51% (and no more than 79%) of a single grain. Bourbon is made from at least 51% corn; straight rye is made from at least 51% rye, etc. American whiskies must be aged in new barrels made of American white oak that are charred before use.

The term Malt whisky is reserved for a whisky made from 100% malted barley; malt whisky is distilled using an onion-shaped pot still; malt whisky from one distillery is called single malt whisky to distinguish it from blended whiskies.

Grain whisky differs from malt in that it is usually made from corn/maize or other grains rather than malted barley, and distilled in continuous distillation process stills known as Coffey stills instead of the pot still used for quality whisky.

Pure pot still whiskey is a name given to Irish whiskey made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley and distilled in a pot still.

Blended whisky is the term used when whiskies of different types are mixed together. The mix is usually between malt and grain whiskies. When malt whiskies are mixed together the term vatted malt is often used.

Names and spellings

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Whisky (or whiskey) comes from the Gaelic uisge/uisce beatha meaning "water of life", and is ultimately derived from Latin aqua vitae.

The spelling whisky (plural whiskies) is generally used for those distilled in Scotland, Wales, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey is used for the spirits distilled in Ireland and in the United States. A 1968 BATF directive specifies "whisky" as the official U.S. spelling, but allows labeling as "whiskey" in deference to tradition, and most U.S. producers still use the latter spelling.

A mnemonic used to remember which spelling is used is that "Ireland" and "United States" have at least one "e" in their names, while "Scotland," "Canada" and "Japan" do not. International law reserves the term "Scotch whisky" to those whiskies produced in Scotland;

Whiskies produced in other countries may not refer to their whisk(e)y as Scots, Scotch, Scotland, or Scottish. Similar conventions exist for "Irish whiskey," "Canadian whisky," and "bourbon whiskey."

In North America, as well as in part of Continental Europe, the abbreviated term "Scotch" is usually used for "Scotch Whisky." In England, Scotland, and Wales, the term "Whisky" almost always refers to "Scotch Whisky", and the term "Scotch" is rarely used by itself. In Welsh the forms wisgi, wysgi and chwisgi are all used.

Popular Types

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• Scotch whisky
• Bourbon whiskey
• Canadian whisky
• Corn whiskey
• Irish whiskey
• Moonshine
• Rye whiskey
• Tennessee whiskey
• Welsh whisky

External links

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• The Scotch Blog News and comment on the whisky industry
• Whisky Magazine
• Whiskyfun Tasting notes and fun
• ScotlandWhisky - a tourism site
• The Whisky Guide
• Whisky-news.com News about whisky and whisky production and more.
• The Daily Dram Info for collectors and general news about rare whisky
• Ulf Buxrud A huge whisky links resource
• Malt Maniacs Whisky info for beginners to anoraks from 24 international aficionados

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