Whiskey Flashcards
Bourbon Whiskey
** Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey is a specific type of American whiskey that is made from at least 51% corn and aged in oak barrels. The name bourbon comes from Bourbon Country, Kentucky: the region where the spirit was invented. Today over 95% of the bourbon produced is made in Kentucky.**
Flavor: Bourbon has a sweeter flavor than other styles of whiskey, with notes of vanilla, oak and caramel. But there’s a wide variation in flavor between brands and how long the bourbon is aged. One expert breaks bourbons into four major flavor categories: grain forward, nutmeg forward, caramel forward, and cinnamon forward. (Want to nerd out? Here’s how bourbon is made.)
Rye Whiskey
Rye whiskey is a type of whiskey made with a majority of the grain rye. This term refers to either American rye whiskey, made of at least 51% rye mash, or Canadian whisky, which may or may not contain rye. Canadian regulations don’t require it to contain rye, though historically it did.
Flavor: Rye whiskey is full bodied and spicy, with a peppery finish. It’s dryer than the flavor of bourbon, which is sweeter (and made of at least 51% corn).
Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey is a type of whiskey made in Ireland. It has a light, mellow flavor compared to other types of whiskey. Irish whiskey was once the most popular spirit in the world: it went into decline in the 1900’s but has been growing since the 1990’s. Jameson whiskey is the best selling brand of Irish whiskey worldwide. There are four major types of Irish whiskey: Irish single malt, Single pot still, Single grain Irish, and blended Irish whiskey.
Flavor: Irish whiskey tastes light and fruity, with a lightly floral scent and hints vanilla. It’s the easiest to drink of all types of whiskey, making a great intro for drinkers new to whiskey. Aging it makes a more sophisticated flavor profile, with signature oak and caramel flavors.
Scotch
** Scotch is whisky made in Scotland from either barley or a mix of grains. There are several types of Scotch: the most common are Single Malt Scotch, a whisky that’s from one distillery from a mash of malted barley, and Blended Scotch, made by blending barrel-aged malt whisky and grain whisky.**
Flavor: Blended Scotch has a smooth flavor: malty and buttery, with a spicy finish. Single malt Scotch tastes oaky and woody, with signature peaty and smoky notes.
Canadian
Canadian whisky is any type of whiskey made in Canada. Much of Canadian whiskey is rye whiskey, though Canadian regulations don’t require something labeled “rye whiskey” to actually contain rye. (Yes, it’s confusing!) A popular brand of Canadian Whiskey is Crown Royal. Some people consider Canadian whisky at the lower strata of the whiskey world.
Flavor: Much of Canadian whisky is rye, so it can be spicy like rye or more straightforward. Crown Royal has vanilla, brown sugar and oaky notes.
Japanese
Japanese whisky is a style of whiskey developed and produced in Japan. It’s closest in flavor and production method to Scotch whisky. This similarity is also why the Japanese version is spelled “whisky” instead of “whiskey.” If you like a good Scotch, you’ll love Japanese whisky.
Flavor: Japanese whisky has a dry, fruity, and smoky flavor. The finish is mellow, with notes of oak.
Tennessee
Tennessee whiskey is a type of whiskey made in Tennessee. It’s often lumped in with bourbon, but producers claim that it’s a distinct product. However, Tennessee whiskey and bourbon have almost identical legal requirements, and most Tennessee whiskeys meet the criteria for bourbon (source). The difference? After distillation, Tennessee whiskey must be filtered through sugar maple charcoal. A popular brand of Tennessee whiskey is Jack Daniels.
Flavor: Tennessee whiskey tastes like a lighter form of bourbon, since the charcoal filtering mellows some of the bite. It has the signature vanilla, oak and caramel notes of a bourbon.
