What makes whisky

Whiskey with an "e" is kind of the umbrella term like 'wine' or 'beer'. There are a number of legal requirements for something to be labeled a "whisky scotch", including being produced in Scotland. It must also be made from primarily malted barley and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. What does single malt mean? Single malt whiskey can be made anywhere in the world but the "single" in single malt whiskey means that the liquid has been produced at only one distillery.

What is a good scotch? You can't go wrong with any type of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet scotch whisky, which both offer 12 to 50 year old options since and respectively. Why is single malt scotch so expensive? The main reason why scotch whisky is expensive to buy is because of the aging process. Scotch whisky is aged at least three years, but many are aged longer — the length is always displayed on the bottle.

The aging process also results in the "Angel's Share", which is the whisky lost to natural evaporation over time. A standard, newly-filled barrel contains liters, but an average of around 2 percent of that evaporates every year, which significantly reduces the final amount, especially in scotch whiskies that are aged for years.

The devil's cut is another factor, which refers to the spirit absorbed by the barrel during the aging process, though how much is lost depends on the wood used. Finally, taxes and excise duties contribute to the final price that the consumer ends up paying.

The current excise duty on a standard bottle of Scotch is about 72 percent in the U. What's the cheapest scotch whisky? Moderate whiskey intake may offer some benefits. Still, drinking too much can have many negative health consequences. Most people drink whiskey straight or neat, which means by itself.

That said, adding a splash of water can help bring out its more subtle flavours. Keep in mind that many of these drinks contain added sugars and can pack a lot of calories. Though it may offer benefits in moderation, too much alcohol can harm your body. This is a detailed article about alcohol and its health effects. It examines both the pros and cons, helping you make an informed decision.

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Alcohol plays a large role in weight loss and weight management. Anyone looking to drop those final stubborn pounds may want to consider skipping…. A whisky cannot be called Scotch unless it is entirely produced and bottled in Scotland. Bourbon , a whiskey that was first produced in Kentucky, U. It also uses a sour mash process — that is, the mash is fermented with yeast and includes a portion from a mash that has already been fermented.

And rye whiskey? In the United States, regulations stipulate that the mash must be at least 51 percent rye in order for it to be called rye whiskey.

In Canada, regulations do not specify a minimum percentage of rye. Flavor-wise, Scotch is smoky, bourbon is sweet, and rye is more astringent than the two others, making it particularly suitable to cocktails.

Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Eventually, the vapor is directed into a condenser. Nearly all whiskies are aged in wood—usually oak—containers. One notable exception is corn whiskey , which may be aged or unaged.

Some whiskies, such as scotch , have a required minimum age. The whisky may be chill-filtered or filtered in another way to prevent it from becoming cloudy when cold water or ice is added.

This tool will help you figure out the ideal whisky proof for you—and exactly how much water to add to reach it.

Whether you like it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, learn how to make the most of your whisky. Search Search. George Spirits in Alameda, California.