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An Expert’s Guide To Finding Your Whisky Style

When it comes to Whisky, Whiskey and Bourbon there are many varieties and styles to choose from.

For those who are long-time whisky drinkers, you’ll likely have an old favorite you always turn to, maybe within the jim beam lineage. But if you’re just starting, it can be hard to know where to begin.

Every Whisky is different, and its flavour is determined by every step in its production.

Various regions have their own processes and flavour profiles they are famous for.

If you prefer peaty, or earthy notes over honey and oaky tones, you might prefer a Scottish Whisky over a Japanese one.

The world of Whisky is complex, with a wide variety of grains, flavours and distillation processes.

If you’re new to whisky, it’s worthwhile trying a few different styles to find which one you love.

An Expert’s Guide To Finding Your Whisky Style

Here are some of the most common types of Whisky for you to get familiar with, to help you find your style.

Irish Whiskey

Produced in Ireland, Irish Whiskey is often a blend of pot-stilled malted and unmalted Whiskeys with column-stilled, corn-based grain Whiskey. It may also be made with triple-distilled malted barley.

Irish Whiskey malt is dried in a closed kiln away from fire and smoke, with great care taken during distillation to keep the temperature low so as not to break the delicately sweet, toasty, honey flavour.

Irish Whiskey is often aged in used bourbon barrels or various wine casks for at least three years. It can be aged for longer periods, and you will generally see this reflected in the smoothness and price.

Irish Whiskey tends to be smooth, relaxed and rounded, with a hint of sweetness, making it a good option for those who don’t like a smoky scotch.

Scotch Whisky

Made in Scotland, Scotch Whisky has a distinct smoky or peaty flavour.

Commonly produced as a single malt or blended Whisky, each region of Scotland creates unique and distinct flavour characteristics. Blends combining malt and grain Whiskies make up a large portion of the market.

The malt drying process is partly done over a peat-fueled fire that allows the smoke to come in direct contact with the malt.

As well as being made in Scotland, the drink must be made from malted barley and aged for no less than three years to be classified as Scotch Whisky.

Smoky, earthy and with slight fruit flavours, scotch whisky is made to be savoured.

Bourbon

If you want to try out whisky but are not quite ready for Scotch, Bourbon could be a good starting point.

Distilled in various states in the U.S., Bourbon is often aged for at least four years. Bourbon barrels can only be used once, and no blending or additives, other than water, is allowed in bourbon.

With distinctive vanilla and woody flavours, Bourbon is known for its sweetness and smoothness.

Rye Whiskey

Typically produced in the U.S. and Canada, where it’s also known as Whisky, wheat and barley are commonly used to make rye whiskey.

Rye Whiskey has a notable spiciness and slightly bitter flavour from the rye grains. While distinct from all other styles of Whiskey, Rye Whiskey is most similar in taste to Bourbon.

Canadian Whisky

Produced in Canada, Canadian Whisky is primarily made of corn or wheat and supplemented with rye, barley or barley malt.

Aged in used oak barrels for a minimum of three years, it is not too dissimilar to Bourbon, however distillers have been making an effort to expand their offerings to provide something different for the market.

An Expert’s Guide To Finding Your Whisky Style

Blended Whisky

Blended Whisky varieties must contain at least 20 per cent straight Whisky, mixed with various other ingredients such as neutral grain spirits, colourings and flavorings.

With many different styles to choose from, blended Whisky appeals to a wide range of flavour preferences. Blends are a good option for everyone, from drinking novices to those with even the most refined palate.

Japanese Whisky

Japanese Whisky producers are specialists in creating brilliant single malts. A combination of innovation, technology and an acute focus on crafting delicious flavours has brought Japanese whisky to the forefront of the market.

Smooth, delicate, and often perfumed with honey to add a touch of sweetness, Japanese Whisky is easy to drink but with plenty of character.

Aimed at people who don’t want the complexity of bourbon or Scotch, Japanese Whisky is perfect for those willing to branch out and try new flavours.

American Whiskey

There are many different styles of American whiskey, from Tennessee Whiskey to American single malt to Bourbon. 

Aged in new charred oak barrels, American Whiskey has many taste profiles. It is generally sweeter, less smoky, and less peaty than Irish and Scotch Whiskey, with spicy, rich, and punchy flavours.

With such a variety of flavours, it can take some trial and error to find your favourite whisky style, but that’s all part of the fun.

Explore Hairydog’s wide range of Whisky, Whiskey and Bourbon online.

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