Whiskey or bourbon, what is the difference

Many people do not know what is the difference between bourbon and whiskey, although differences are not large, but they make a difference is the taste. While all The Bourbon is whiskey, not all whiskey is bourbon.

Whiskey or whiskey (as presented by the Scots and Canadians) is a fermented mash of different grains and water. They will be different in taste, appearance and smell because of the different types of local grain and water used in fermentation and distillation process. It is then aged in wooden (usually oak) barrels. Also each distillery has its own methods for distilling and aging, this will also make a difference.

All governments closely monitor summarize and aging of all whiskeys, both for imports and exports.

Whiskey is distilled spirits produced from starchy materials of different grains. The grains are first ground in a mixture a bit like cornmeal. This mash is then fermented, distilled, blended and aged. Although not always necessarily in that order. This is where the differences come in to play.

There are different grain mixes, many different distillation methods, hundreds of different mixing methods, with about as many different aging methods.

Canadian whiskey is a blended whiskey, distilled from rye, corn and barley. It can only be produced in Canada under strict government control. The Canadian Whiskey sold here in the United States must be at least four years, and 80 proof. Much lighter in flavor and color than most other whiskeys. Canadian whiskey and Scotch will be very similar, since in the early days of whiskey making Scottish immigrants came to Canada and began distilleries use their original recipes from Scotland. Canadian whiskey is Black Velvet, Canadian Club and Windsor Canadian, just to name a few.

Irish whiskey is a blended whiskey made from barley malt and grain. Malt is dried in coal-fired furnaces, so the aroma of the fires did not taste of malt. Irish whiskey is heavier, sold at 86 proofs and can only be produced in Ireland. Bushmills and Jameson are the top sellers of Irish whiskey.

Scotch Whiskey is a blended whiskey made generally from malt and grain whiskey. This whiskey is famous for its smokey flavor comes from drying malted barley over peat fires. Can only be produced in Scotland, to be exported to the USA, the Scots be at least 2 years, even if fewer than 4 years, an age statement shown on the label and possesses a 80 to 86. Popular covers Dewar Scotch and Johnnie Walker. There are also single malt Scotch like Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. Single Malt Scotch is produced at a distillery using a barley malt and must be filled in 3 years.

Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from grain mash containing 51% corn and aged more than 4 years in new charred oak barrels. It is amber in color and slightly sweeter and heavier in texture than other whiskeys. Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it originated. Examples include Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Makers Mark.

Rye Whiskey is distilled from a grain mash that is at least 80% corn then aged in charred oak barrels. Jim Beam makes a rye whiskey and Old Overholt.

Straight Whiskey is a whiskey that is distilled from grain, but is not mixed, unless mixed with another whiskey made from the same distillery or the same lot. This whiskey aged in charred oak barrels for at least 2 years.

Kentucky Whiskey is a whiskey in the state of Kentucky and includes Early Times.

A Tennessee Whiskey is a whiskey made in Tennessee, including Jack Daniels and George Dickle.

All information about a whiskey can be found on the label. For example, Jack Daniels, the label that it is a Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey, which means it was made in Tennessee and mash used in the manufacture of a batch of whiskey is added to the next. Hence the term sour mash.

Another example is Johnny Walker Black Label. The label is clear that this is a blended Scotch whiskey. Thus, this whiskey is made in Scotland from a mixture of several different batches of whiskey.

As you can see there are many different types of whiskey. The best way to determine which is best for you is to just try them. As you will see that each has its own smell, taste, appearance and texture. If you really want to try the different flavors, it is best to drink it neat (straight up) or with a few drops of water added.

First look at the color, while most are amber colored, there are different degrees of shade. Generally, if a whiskey has a light color, the taste will be lighter too.

Now look at the viscosity, this is the amount of whiskey, which clings to the side of the glass when swirling. This will tell you a little about the texture of whiskey. If a large proportion of whiskey sticking to the sides of the glass, this means that it is a heavier whiskey.

Now smell, you get to smell alcohol, but keep the smell, you smell a bit of smoke, charcoal? How about a little sweet smell? After time, you will be able to pick up other scents other than alcohol.

Finally, taste, take small sips to start, there will be an alcohol burn, but got past that you will be able to pick up other flavors. Peat, smoke, sweetness of the grain and oak from the barrels will slowly come to you. There are different after taste too. As your pallet is more experienced, you will be able to tell the different cores, which were used to make whiskey. While more cheap whiskey is fine for mixing, expensive whiskeys are made for sipping. You can find a price range as wide as the variety of whiskeys available.