How Whiskey is Made: The Amazing Process

Whiskey is one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world. It has been around for many centuries and has evolved to become a staple drink at any bar or party. For some, whiskey is just a symbol of luxury and privilege, but it also happens to be a fantastic product. In this post, we will discuss how this spirit comes into existence from start to finish.

 Whiskey is made from one or more fermented cereals and is then distilled. In distillation, various flavors are extracted in addition to the alcohol; these include but aren't limited to fruit, honey, caramel and vanilla. The majority grain used for whiskey production today is malted barley - this has been customary since at least medieval times.

 Whiskey came from Scotland, Ireland and America. All three countries were large producers of whiskey in the 1800s, but now scotch is primarily produced by Scotland while Irish Whiskey production has decreased. On the other hand, American bourbon remains one of the best-selling types because it's easy to drink, straight or mixed with coke, for instance.

 Whisky has been distilled in Scotland for hundreds of years, and the process for making it has remained essentially unchanged.

 

Types of Whiskeys

 

Bourbon:

-A type of whiskey that is made in the United States. It is distilled from a grain mixture and aged for up to four years (middle range). The style originated in Kentucky during the late 1700s.

 Scotch:

- A type of liquor originating from Scotland. Scotch whisky has been distilled since 1400 AD, where monks made it, and the process has remained unchanged.

 Irish whiskey:

- A type of liquor from Ireland that is distilled three times, while scotch whisky is typically only done twice. Irish whiskey can be produced anywhere globally but must use barley grown exclusively in Ireland for malted grain content.

 Canadian whiskey:

-A type of liquor typically made in Canada. Canadian whiskey is made with corn, rye and malted barley (in the same process as scotch). It can be distilled anywhere globally but must use grain grown exclusively in Canada for malted content.

 Tennessee whiskey:

- A type of liquor being produced in Tennessee. The process differs from scotch in that it is distilled only twice, with a lighter flavor than the other whiskeys mentioned. This spirit is often served neat or on the rocks.

 Rye whiskey:

-A type of whiskey that consists predominantly of rye. It is distilled from a mash containing at least 51% rye or aged in oak barrels (often previously used for bourbon) for a minimum of two years. It originated in Canada during the mid-1800s.

 Strawberry Whiskey:

-A type of whiskey distilled from grains such as wheat, rye or barley and then flavored with strawberries. The resulting spirit has been aged for up to three weeks before bottling. Strawberry whiskeys are produced by infusing strawberries into the alcohol, then filtering out solids.

 

Single Malt Whiskey:

-A type of whiskey that is distilled from malted barley, then aged in a single barrel. The mash for the spirit can be made with any cereal grain and includes rye or wheat.

 

Blended Whiskey:

-An American term which refers to one hundred per cent corn liquor or other neutral spirits. A blended whiskey must contain at least twenty-one per cent of alcohol and may include other whiskey or malt spirits.

 

The step by step process on how to make a whiskey:

 

The process of distilling whiskey is not complex, but it does involve a few steps. Before the process, you need to have the correct type of ingredients to be successful for your whisky.

 

-The very first step is to take the grain mixture and then grind it.

 

-Next, you want to heat your grains; for this process to be successful, you need high temperatures that range between 60°C and 80°C (140°F - 176° F). It will depend on the type of whiskey you're making.

 

-After heating the grains, you have to extract proteins and starches from them.

 

After that process is over, it's time for you to cool down your mixture of grain. You want this to be at a temperature set between 20°C and 30°C (68°F - 86 °F).

 -For the fermentation process to be successful, you need yeast.

 -The next step is extracting your alcohol from this mixture of grains and water. You can do this through distillation or going with a different process, such as sultanas, which will remove more flavor than plain old distillation.

 -Finally, it's time for you to combine your alcohol with water, dilute it and stop the fermentation process.

 -The next step is aging so that all of the flavors can mix nicely over some time.

 

After making the whiskey from the production process, you will need to age it. Aging whiskey is a necessary step in the process for any type of alcohol because it has to go through time so that all those beautiful flavors can seep out. It's like getting better with age!

 

Some types of whiskey take longer than others to get the desired flavor profile and other characteristics that make a specific type unique from another variety.

 

 Once the whiskeys are old enough, the aging process is stopped, and they are ready to be bottled. Bottling whiskey is a very delicate process it is key not to have too much oxygen enter the bottle, as this ruins the flavor profile.

 

After bottling is finished, the next step would be shipping your bottles to the distributor.

 

Distributors will usually store your whiskey in their warehouses for a while before selling it to retailers. After successful marketing and customer reach, your whiskey finally gets into a consumer's hands!

 

There's no better feeling than knowing that you are drinking a product that has been created with care and love by people who just wanted to share their craft.

 That's why whiskey is such a fantastic drink!

 And when consumers get their hands on these beautiful bottles, they will find a unique label and bottle full whiskey that tells a start-to-finish story about the distiller and their journey.

 

There are many different types of whiskey for you to explore! All it takes is one sip, and you'll be hooked forever.

 

What is better is the variety of glasses available to enjoy the whiskey. Old fashioned whiskey glasses are one of the most popular available if you are looking for the perfect gift, or maybe some classic scotch whiskey glasses for an evening pour.

 Ever wondered if there is whiskey etiquette?

 Are there rules to drinking whiskey?

 One of the most popular ways to drink your favorite spirit is neat, and this requires a special whiskey tasting glass.

 You may be wondering why you cannot use just any glass if all you are doing is sipping the alcohol straight. A neat whiskey glass helps keep the drink at its optimal temperature and will not interfere with the flavors of your beverage.  Furthermore, the shape of the glass can help bring out the variety of smells and flavors hidden deep in the spirit.

 

The Best Food To Eat With Whiskey

 

There are several items that pair well with whiskey, but the best food to eat with it is mushrooms. The two have excellent flavors that complement each other well, making for an exquisite, tasteful combination for your palate. Mushrooms are a popular ingredient in an array dishes; some recommendations are steak tartare with mushroom sauce or fried eggplant caponata.

 

Smoky and higher proof whiskies go well with meats and foods containing bolder flavors.  Lighter proof whiskies and blended whiskies can be enjoyed seafood, and even foods with a little spice! If you are unsure about pairings, keep it simple. Try pairing with nuts or crackers. These items are bland enough that they clear your palate and allow to hone in on individual flavors in complicated tasting profiles.

 

The best thing about whiskey is that it can go well with just about any dish, including nachos, pizza, and even ice cream. Chocolate is a popular choice for many whiskeys because it brings out the flavor in the drink and enhances its sweet notes.

 

Whether you have a mixed drink or enjoy the taste of whiskey straight up, there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your life.